On August 22, 1985, a Grumman G-164A (registration N5297) was involved in an aviation accident near Buckeye, AZ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a procedure turn after a spray run, the engine's No. 8 cylinder connecting rod failed, covering the windshield with oil. The pilot attempted to land but could not align with the dirt strip due to obstructed forward vision; on touchdown the wheels dug into soft dirt and the aircraft nosed over onto its back. No fire occurred.
Incident Summary
An agricultural spray aircraft experienced an engine failure while executing a procedure turn following a spray run. The failure resulted in the aircraft nosing over onto its back during an attempted landing.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had just completed a spray application and was performing a procedure turn when the engine's No. 8 cylinder connecting rod failed. This failure caused engine oil to cover the windshield, severely limiting the pilot's forward vision. The pilot attempted to land on the departure airstrip but was unable to align the aircraft with the dirt runway due to the obscured view. On touchdown, the aircraft's wheels sank into the soft dirt area, causing the aircraft to nose over onto its back. There was no post-impact fire.
Damage and Investigation
The aircraft sustained damage during the nose-over. The connecting rod fracture mode could not be determined because the fracture surface was obliterated. No other causal factors were identified in the source.