20020806021329A

(-23) Mr. Forrest stated he is an FAA aviation safety inspector. On August 7, 2002, he was notified of an aircraft accident that occurred on presidents island, located in the vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee. The airplane involved in the accident was an air tractor AT-301, N3164E. The airplane is registered to ben p. baker, doing business as baker flying service inc. the pilot was not located at the crash site. Examination of the crash site revealed the pilot made an approach to the grass runway to the north. Mr. Forrest stated he 6 feet 2 inches tall, and the johnson grass on the runway was as high as his head. There was a dusty road located to the left of the grass runway, and other suitable available precautionary landing areas were located within 3 miles of president's island. Examination of the crash site revealed the pilot lost directional control on landing rollout. The airplane ground looped to the right spreading the main landing gear, separating the tail wheel and causing substantial damage to the left and right wings. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, and engine assembly revealed no evidence of any pre crash failure or malfunction, and fuel was present in the fuel tank. Read the statement back to Mr. Forrest and he agreed with the statement. Mr. Parkhurst stated he is a commercial pilot, certificate no. 2349273, and is employed by ben p. baker, of baker flying service inc., as a crop duster. On 08/06/02, he was the pilot-in-command of an air tractor AT-301, N3164E. He departed covington, Tennessee, about 1200 central daylight time to conduct numerous aerial application flights in the local area. No flight plan was filed nor was a weather briefing obtained. At about 1425 he started to experience a rough running engine after making a swath run on presidents island. The engine started to sputter; it cleared, and started again. He suspected the engine had some water in it. He decided to make a precautionary landing at a grass strip on presidents island. He made an approach to the north. He could not tell there was high grass on the runway and he did not see the dirt roadway to the left of the runway until late in the approach. During the landing rollout the airplane encountered some high johnson grass. He lost directional control, the airplane ground looped to the right, both wings collided with the ground sustaining substantial damage, the tail wheel separated, and the main landing gear was spread. He exited the airplane unassisted and without injury. When asked why he did not continue to other available airports in the area, Mr. Parkhurst stated he was nervous and felt he should put it down on president's island. Read the statement back to Mr. Parkhurst and he agreed with the statement.