FTW04LA166

The 20,875-hour pilot reported that after takeoff, at an altitude of approximately 75 feet above ground level, the airplane began to "settle," and he elected to make a forced landing in a flooded rice field. During landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. No fuel was observed in either of the wing fuel tanks. No visible evidence of fuel residue was found in the vicinity of the wreckage.

On June 23, 2004, approximately 1330 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, single-engine, tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane, N60713, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from a private airstrip near Crowley, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to and operated by Lewis Flying Service, of Morse, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The 20,875-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after performing two aerial applications of fertilizer, he returned to the airstrip to fill the hopper with more fertilizer. After loading approximately 2,300 pounds of fertilizer into the hopper, the pilot took off. At an altitude of approximately 75 feet above ground level, the airplane began to "settle," and he elected to make a forced landing in a flooded rice field. During landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted.

An examination of the wreckage by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed structural damage to the right flap, vertical fin, and rudder. The propeller was sheared off at the hub, and the low pressure compressor can was bent 90 degrees. No fuel was observed in either of the wing fuel tanks. No visible evidence of fuel residue was found in the vicinity of the wreckage.

At 1253, the automated surface observing system at the Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT), located 25 nautical miles east from the accident site, reported wind from 050 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, clouds few at 1,500 feet, temperature 80 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.06 inches of Mercury.