N5671X

On August 24, 2003, at 0950 central daylight time, an Ayres S-2R, N5671X, operated by Ward Flying Service collided with trees and a ditch during a forced landing in Eudora, Arkansas, following a reported loss of engine power. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Eudora, Arkansas, at 0810.

The pilot reported he departed for the aerial application flight with full fuel, 100 gallons usable, and 60 gallons of Malathon on board. At 0940, he completed the aerial application and began to return to his departure airstrip. He stated he pulled the power back to 28 inches of manifold pressure to cool the engine prior to landing. Approximately one minute later the manifold pressure "abruptly" fell and the engine lost power. The pilot stated he used the emergency fuel pump which resulted in a rise in fuel pressure, but the engine failed to restart. He stated he verified the position of the magnetos, fuel, mixture, air and propeller controls.

The pilot elected to land straight ahead in a freshly planted pine orchard. The airplane collided with a ditch and small pine trees during the landing.

Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed one inch of fuel in the left fuel tank and the right fuel tank was empty. There was no evidence of fuel leakage from either tank. The aircraft owner stated 13 gallons of fuel were drained from the aircraft after the accident.