QUEEN CREEK, AZ, USA
N16SS
GRUMMAN G164A-450
THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL SPRAYING OPERATIONS OVER A COTTON FIELD AT NIGHT. WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SPRAY RUN, THE PILOT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE ATTEMPTED TO GAIN ALTITUDE AS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD NEXT TO THE FIELD. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE THEN BOUNCED AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A CYLINDER HAD A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEPARATION NEAR THE TOP OF THE COOLING FINS.
FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER, PRODUCING A LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOCATION OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH NEXT TO THE LANDING AREA AND A DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
