N8843S

On September 13, 2002, approximately 1230 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-302 agricultural airplane, N8843S, was substantially damaged when it impacted the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Lacompte, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to M & J Equipment Company LLC and operated by M & J Flying Service LLC of Plaucheville, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight flight. The local flight originated from a private staging airstrip located near Plaucheville, at 1030.

The 10,150-hour pilot reported that "while making a spray run to the east, [he] pulled up at the end of the field over a tree line at about a 50 to 60 degree climb angle when the engine completely powered down or quit without any warning." The pilot further reported he estimated his altitude to be 60 to 80 feet above the ground when the engine lost power so he immediately banked the airplane to the right in an attempt to land in an adjacent small pasture. The pilot added that the airplane "seemed to be below the power curve as [he] applied flaps." The airplane then rolled right before impacting the ground.

According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the Garrett TPE-331-1-151A engine separated from the airframe and both wings were structurally damaged. Ground scars and evaluation of the damage sustained by the airplane were consistent with the airplane impacting the ground in a shallow right turn at a high rate of descent. The airplane was fragmented into 5 major sections and it appeared that the airplane may have cart-wheeled following the initial ground impact.

Fuel was found in fuel system and there was no post-impact fire. The operator reported that the loss of engine power may have been caused by "fuel cavitations;" however, the reason for the reported loss of engine power could not be determined.