“Engine Came Apart” And He Force Landed The Airplane In The Peanut Field

Location: Donalsonville, GA Incident Number: ENG20LA046
Date & Time: September 28, 2020, 16:30 Local Registration: N6216K
Aircraft: Thrush S2R-H80 Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under:

On September 28, 2020, about 1630 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Thrush S2R-H80, N6216K, was involved in an incident approximately 7 miles northwest of Donalsonville Municipal Airport (17J), Donalsonville, Georgia. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

According to the pilot, he departed 17J at 1600 EDT with 350 gallons of pesticide to spray peanut fields. While maneuvering to re-enter a field, he reported that the “engine came apart” and he force landed the airplane in the peanut field.

During landing, the landing gear sunk into the wet field and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that there was no damage to the airframe, but he observed a hole in the turbine engine case and nacelle consistent with an uncontained engine failure and propeller blade damage.

The airplane was recovered, and the engine was removed and shipped to the manufacturer for examination

FMI: www.ntsb.gov