N61224

On August 10, 2006, at 1415 eastern daylight time, an Ayres S2R-65, N61224, registered to Ford Flying Services Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, had a reported loss of engine power in cruise flight at 500 feet. The pilot made a forced landing in the vicinity of Doerun, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by a post crash fire. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip in Doerun, Georgia, on August 10, 2006, at 1410.

The pilot stated he was in cruise flight enroute to a spray area located 15 miles northwest of Doerun. The engine started loosing power. He added power and the interstage turbine temperature increased and the torque decreased. He observed a short hay field straight ahead and made a forced landing into the field. He was unable to stop the airplane before it collided with trees separating the main landing gear. The pilot exited the airplane, notified authorities of the accident on his cell phone, and departed the area. The pilot was returning to the accident site a short time later when he met a peanut farmer who had been working near the accident site. The farmer informed the pilot that after he left the airplane in the field that the airplane started smoking and caught on fire. The pilot arrived at the crash site and the airplane was totally engulfed in flames.

The engine assembly was forward to the engine manufacturer for examination under the supervision of the FAA. The teardown and examination of the engine disclosed the type and degree of damage to the engine was indicative of engine rotation and operation at the time of impact with the ground. No pre-existing condition was found that would have caused or contributed to the reported loss of engine power.

The engine was released to Atlanta Air Recovery on February 8, 2007.