ATL88LA253

Factual narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 7-800 FT AGL WHILE INSPECTING TIMBER FOR INSECT DAMAGE WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. HE COULD NOT RECOVER ENOUGH POWER TO SUSTAIN FLT, SO HE SELECTED A PASTURE FOR HIS IMPENDING FORCED LDG. HE REPORTED THAT THE FIELD WAS ROUGH AND JUST BEFORE THE AIRPLANE STOPPED ON ITS LDG ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR COLLIDED WITH A FIRE ANT HILL AND COLLAPSED. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE MECHANIC WHO RECOVERED THE AIRPLANE STATED THAT HE DID NOT FIND FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE AND THAT THE PASTURE WAS SUITABLE LANDING SITE. HE REPORTED THAT THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD TOUCHED DOWN IN A SKID. HE SAID THAT THERE WERE NO FIRE ANT HILLS IN THE FIELD. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12