N8456V

On November 1, 1994, about 1200 central standard time, a Rockwell S-2R, N8456V, registered to Kimmel Flying Service, operating as a 14 CFR part 91 ferry flight, experienced smoke in the cockpit during cruise flight at about 1,000 feet msl. The smoke was entering the cockpit from beneath the floor. The pilot made a precautionary landing to a harvested cotton field in the vicinity of Madison, Mississippi. On landing rollout, the pilot observed a tree line and applied brakes, the airplane nosed down on its propeller, and rocked back on its landing gear. The pilot exited the airplane, opened a panel on the right side, and observed dark smoke with an electrical smell. He moved away from the airplane, and the airplane was consumed by fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airline transport-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Hollandale, Mississippi, about 20 minutes before the accident.

Examination of the wreckage by the FAA revealed there was no evidence of an in-flight fire. The origin of the postcrash fire, and the source of the smoke reported by the pilot was not determined.