FTW02LA009

After the pilot dispatched two parachutists, the pilot commenced his descent to return to the airport. While on final approach, approximately 200 feet AGL, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to land in a nearby open field rather than to attempt maneuvering around high power lines near the airport. As soon as the airplane touched the ground, it "flipped" over. The pilot further stated that the fuel selector was in the "both" position and the carburetor heat was in the full "hot" position during the approach. Examination of the airplane after the accident did not reveal anything that could have been considered as a cause for the loss of power.

On October 6, 2001, approximately 1100 central daylight time, a Cessna 182A single-engine airplane, N3862D, registered to and operated by Pegasus Air Sports Center of Chickasha, Oklahoma, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while on final approach to the Red Hills Airport, near Chickasha, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot was not injured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 air drop flight. The flight originated at 1045 from the Red Hill Airport, Chickasha, Oklahoma, and had dispatched two parachutists prior to the loss of power.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot stated that the engine lost power without warning approximately 200 feet AGL while he was on approach to the airport. The pilot added that he attempted to land in a nearby open field rather than to attempt to maneuver around power lines near the airport. As soon as the airplane touched the ground, it "flipped" over. The pilot further stated that the fuel selector was in the "both" position and the carburetor heat was in the full "hot" position during the approach.

The aircraft came to rest in the inverted position on a northerly heading in an open field approximately 1/4 mile northeast of the airstrip. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that the vertical stabilizer and the rudder were structurally damaged, the nose landing gear was sheared, the engine bulkhead damaged and the carburetor was knocked-off the engine. The inspector stated that there was fuel aboard the airplane and the fuel did not appear to be contaminated. After the airplane was moved to a hangar for further examination, both the operator and the FAA inspector did not find anything that could have been considered as a cause for the loss of power.