20000202006369A

(-23) Pilot was applying sulpher dioxide powder to an alfafa field at an altitude of approximately 7 feet AGL when engine lost power and stopped running. Pilot made a forced landing in an alfafa field and upon roll-out could not stop before coming to end of field. Aircraft continued beyond end of field at a moderate rate of speed, subsequently entering conrete irrigation channel. Nose of aircraft impacted concrete wall of irrigation channel, resulting in abrupt stop, causing aircraft to nose over and come to rest inverted on opposite side of channel. Pilot was suspended upside down in cockpit-extricated by flagman and passersby. Aircraft received major dmamage from impact and post crash fire. Pilot suffered serious injuries. See attachment (.4)on February 2, 2000, at 1500 hours pacific standard time, an air tractor AT-301, N23043, lost engine power while maneuvering to spray sulfur on a carrot field near Brawley, California. The airplane made a forced landing in an open dirt field and came to rest inverted in an irrigation ditch after colliding with a concrete wall. The aircraft, operated by val air, inc. un der the provisions of 14 CFR part 137, was destroyed by postimpact fire. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local area agricultural operation, and no flight plan was filed. The flight had departed from a Private dirt strip near the alfalfa field, and was scheduled to terminate at the same Private dirt strip. Federal aviation administration (FAA) inspectors interviewed the pilot. The pilot informed the FAA that he was spraying sulfur, approximately 7 feet above ground level (AGL), when the engine quit. He did a magneto check, but did not receive a response and made a forced landing. During the forced landing he noted a high rate of airspeed on touchdown, and ran out of open landing area. The airplane struck a concrete wall and nosed over into an irrigation ditch. The pilot stated that the airplane had recently received a 100-hour inspection and had to be returned to the overhaul facility due to "problems," and he had noted an increase in engine oil consumption, approximately 3 gallons every 2 hours, during operations on the day of the accident. The FAA also interviewed the ground spotter/radio man, who was in contact w ith the pilot. He stated that the pilot had radioed that he (the pilot) was in trouble, but did not elaborate as to the nature of the problem. The spotter observed two puffs of black smoke emanate from the airplane and then saw it crash. The spotter and two bystanders, who saw the airplane burning, aided the pilot in his egress from the airplane. The spotter was unable to put out the fire.