LAX03LA158

The commercial pilot was making a steep turn during an agricultural aerial application when the airplane's engine lost power. He made a forced landing in a field, and in the process, the airframe received structural damage. The pilot said he had ground crew fuel the left tank of the airplane with the engine still running. He completed three loads, with each load cycle taking about 12 minutes. He then performed a steep turn of about 70-degrees to complete one last pass. About 400 above ground level, the engine lost power and he was unable to restart it. He landed the airplane in the field below, and the airplane skidded about 100 feet and nosed over. The person who recovered the airplane did not observe any fuel in the airplane fuel tanks, or at the accident site.

On May 21, 2003, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, an Ayres S2R-T34, N5653X, made a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Willows, California. The airplane was registered to Willows Flying Service and operated by PM Dusters under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed Noltas Airport, Willows, about 1100. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The primary wreckage was at 39 degrees 30 minutes north latitude and 121 degrees 57 minutes west longitude.

During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that, with the engine still running, he had someone fuel the airplane. He used hand signals to communicate his request that the left tank be filled to the top. After making several passes, he performed a steep turn of about 70-degrees to complete one last pass. About 400 above ground level (AGL), he said that the engine quit, and he landed in the field. The airplane skid about 100 feet and nosed over. The landing gear was torn off, the wings wrinkled, fuselage tubing was bent, and the propeller was bent. The airplane's right fuel tank was breached. He noted that the engine had a fuel burn rate of about 42 gallons per hour, and each tank held about 53 gallons.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector talked to the pilot. The pilot reported to him that he had fueled the airplane three loads prior to the engine quitting, with each load cycle taking about 12 minutes. After completing several passes, he made a hard pull up, and turned to the next field. When leveling out, the engine lost power and the pilot was unable to restart it.

The man from the airplane recovery service that picked up the wreckage stated that he did not see any fuel present at or around the accident site. The fuel tanks appeared to be empty and he did not smell fuel.