Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On May 19, 1998, at 1830 central daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane, N8308K, owned and operated by the pilot, DBA Cajun Cropdusters, was destroyed during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Eunice, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured.
According to the pilot, the aircraft was over a pond about a mile from its staging field, en route to a field to apply fertilizer, when the aircraft's engine lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing and turned to the left towards an open field. The aircraft "clipped" the top of a tree separating the left main landing gear. The aircraft impacted the ground and came to rest inverted. A postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the aircraft.
According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft's last annual inspection was completed on May 19, 1998, with a total aircraft time of 5,748 hours.
The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW98LA232