20100806042309A

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. On August 6, 2010, about 0900 pacific daylight time, a PZL-M-18, N70461, was substantially damaged during a forced landing due to a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff from sanborn airport (38CN), meridian, California. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight was operated by martin's dusters under the provisions of title 14 code of federal regulations (CFR) part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. According to the pilot, he had just taken off to the south and was beginning a turn to the east, when he heard a "loud snap," and the engine stopped developing power. He leveled the wings, and attempted a landing in the water-filled rice paddy immediately south of the airstrip. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over onto its back. A nearby witness assisted the pilot in exiting the airplane. According to information provided by law enforcement and federal aviation administration (FAA) personnel, the airplane was registered to martin's dusters, which was the pilot's aerial application company. The airplane was equipped with a Lycoming T53-7A turbine engine, and a 3-bladed propeller. The fuselage fractured at the firewall, and the engine and cowling were folded aft and under the remainder of the airplane. All 3 propeller blades were bent aft, and the vertical stabilizer was canted forward. According to the pilot, he had a total flight experience of about 20,000 hours, and he held ratings for airplane single-engine-land and helicopters. About the time of the accident, the recorded weather observation at an airport 15 miles east of 38CN included winds of 4 knots from 180 degrees, clear skies, and a temperature of 18 degrees c.