BROWNFIELD, TX, USA
N4061H
AYRES S2R-G10
The pilot was conducting a spraying run when a flock of doves flew into the airplane's flight path. Numerous birds were ingested in the engine's intake resulting in a loss of engine power. The pilot elected to land the airplane in a cotton field with a tail wind because he did not have enough altitude to turn around. During the landing roll, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid a ditch alongside a road. The airplane went up on its nose, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest upright facing the opposite direction of landing.
On July 3, 2000, at 1330 central daylight time, an Ayres S2R-G10 agricultural airplane, N4061H, was substantially damaged when it ground looped during a forced landing near Brownfield, Texas. The airplane was registered to Everidge Aerial Farming, Inc., of Pinehurst, Georgia, and was operated by G. B. Aerial Applications, Inc., of Plains, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received 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. The local flight originated from Plains, Texas, at 1315. According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot was conducting a spraying run when a flock of doves flew into the airplane's flight path. Numerous birds were ingested in the engine's intake resulting in a loss of engine power. The pilot elected to land the airplane in a cotton field with a tail wind because he did not have enough altitude to turn around. During the landing roll, the pilot intentionally ground looped the airplane to avoid a ditch alongside a road. The airplane went up on its nose, turned 180 degrees, and came to rest upright facing the opposite direction of landing. The FAA inspector stated that the tail section and right wing sustained structural damage.
The loss of engine power due to the blocked engine intake, which resulted from ingesting birds. Factors were the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the pilot's intentional ground loop in an attempt to avoid a ditch.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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