CHI94DTG02

The aerial applicator was in a turn to enter a field on a swath run when the engine lost power. The pilot made a forced landing on a narrow road and struck a pile of rocks during landing roll. No anomalies were found with the engine when examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector. The temperature/dew point were 73/53. These values are in the area conducive to carburetor icing. The carburetor heat was in the 'off' position.

History of flight

On June 29, 1994, at 1600 central daylight time, an Air Tractor, AT301, N4349S, registered to, and operated by Richard Ring, dba Ring's Aerial Spraying, Langdon, North Dakota, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lawton, North Dakota. The pilot stated the engine quit while he was making a turn to enter a spray swath. He said he made a forced landing, on a narrow road and collided with a rock pile. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137 in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. The last point of departure was Edmore, North Dakota, at 1530.

Tests and research

The airplane was removed from the road and taken to the operator's facility where it was examined by an Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards District Office, Fargo, North Dakota. No abnormal conditions were found during the examination. The temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were 73/53. These values are in the temperature range conducive to carburetor icing. The carburetor heat was in the OFF position.