Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 4, 1994, at 1610 mountain daylight time, a Thrush S-2R, N4890X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Clint, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.
The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had completed a swath run, and was maneuvering to see if the field needed more spraying when the engine lost power. While landing on highway 80 the pilot had to lift the left wing to avoid striking a vehicle. During the landing roll the right main landing gear struck a canal gate, separating it from the fuselage causing structural damage. The airplane came to rest in a shallow ditch with one propeller blade bent and the left wing tip damaged.
According to a local official, a witness reported the right main landing gear struck a pickup truck. The pickup truck's roof was torn off, and one of the its four passengers received minor injuries.
An examination of the engine by the FAA inspector revealed no mechanical anomalies that could have caused the loss of power.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW94LA271