THOMASVILLE, GA, USA
N7501Z
PIPER PA-25-235
THE AG PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AT ABOUT 100 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. HE TURNED TOWARD A HARVESTED COTTON FIELD TO PERFORM A FORCED LANDING. HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE, AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, SEPARATING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AT IMPACT. THE AIRPLANE SLID ABOUT 50 FEET, CAME TO A STOP, AND CAUGHT FIRE. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT A HIGH SINK RATE. TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INDICATION OF FUEL CONTAMINATION DURING HIS PREFLIGHT. FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED EXAMINING THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SUPPLY FOR CONTAMINANTS.
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER DESCENT RATE DURING THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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