N4946X

On July 23, 2005, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Rockwell International S-2R agricultural single-engine airplane, N4946X, registered to and operated by Tri County Sprayers, Inc., of Hamlin, Texas, was substantially damaged during a forced landing while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near Hamlin, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Hamlin Municipal Airport, near Hamlin, Texas, at an unknown time.

According to an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the 700-hour pilot was performing an aerial application of fertilizer on a field when he noticed that the engine temperature was high and engine oil on the coating the windscreen. The pilot initiated a precautionary landing to a nearby field with "limited forward visibility."

During the landing roll, the airplane struck a berm and the right main landing gear collapsed before the airplane came to rest in the upright position.

Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the right main landing gear was separated from the fuselage and the firewall was bent. Examination of the propeller assembly revealed that the oil leak originated from a seal at the base of a propeller blade at the propeller hub attaching point. Oil was also observed on the windscreen and within the engine compressor inlet.