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NTSB Report

May 29, 1998 · Grumman G-164A · N8629H

Iowa, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 29, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Iowa, LA
Aircraft
Grumman G-164A
Tail Number
N8629H
Operator
O Brien Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA249

Before takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 1,600 pounds of fertilizer to be applied on local rice fields. The pilot initiated a takeoff on a 2,300 foot grass airstrip. He stated that during the takeoff roll to the north, with a 5 to 8 knot crosswind from the west, the engine had a partial loss of power, and 'the tailwheel would not come up.' He released the load from the 300 gallon hopper, and the airplane became airborne. The main landing gear impacted the top of trees and subsequently impacted a levee. The pilot managed to continue flying, and proceeded to a 3,800 turf airstrip where emergency equipment was standing by. During the emergency landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. No reason was found for the reported loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

partial loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s). The obstructions (trees & dirt bank) were related factors.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 1998, at 1445 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A agricultural airplane, N8629H, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain while on takeoff near Iowa, Louisiana. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by O'Brien Flying Service Inc., of Iowa, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. No flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the operator, the airplane was operating from a 2,300 foot long grass airstrip locally known as Robertson's strip. Prior to takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 1,600 pounds of fertilizer to be applied on local rice fields. The pilot stated in a telephonic interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that during the takeoff roll to the north, with a 5 to 8 knot crosswind from the west, "the tailwheel would not come up." The pilot added that, as he got closer to the trees at the departure end of the strip, "he started to release some of the load in the 300 gallon hopper in an attempt to get airborne." The pilot further stated that the airplane got airborne, but the impact with the top of the 10 foot high trees decelerated the airplane; subsequently, the main landing gear impacted a 3-foot high rice levee, separating the left main landing gear from the airframe. In the enclosed narrative portion of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot amended his previous statements by stating that after rolling for about 1,900 feet during the takeoff roll, the engine lost power, so he started dumping his load of fertilizer to lighten the aircraft. After becoming airborne, the pilot elected to return to the operator's 3,800 turf airstrip where emergency equipment was standing by. While landing on runway 21, the partially attached right main landing gear separated from the airframe and the airplane skidded on its belly, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position. The operator reported that both right wings, the left lower wing, the empennage, and the attaching points for both main landing gear assemblies sustained structural damage. The pilot stated that he estimated that at the time of the accident, the temperature was near the century mark, and the winds were from the west at 5 to 8 knots. The NTSB investigator-in-charge estimated the density altitude at 2,650 feet. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power could not be determined. The operator stated that takeoff performance data is not available in the current aircraft pilot's operating handbook. He added that his son had been flying a similar airplane loaded in the same manner along with the accident airplane. He added that if the engine would have not loss power, the accident would have never occurred.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 CDT
Nearest AirportRobertson'S Strip (0nm)
Runway0
Runway Length2300 ft
Runway Width30 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164A
Tail NumberN8629H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorO Brien Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data