On April 16, 1990, a Grumman G-164B (registration N6683K) operated by Ben H. Abbott was involved in an aviation accident near Tiptonville, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure during aerial application operations, with the specific cause undetermined by the investigation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural airplane experienced engine roughness and power loss during an aerial application run, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in a field where the aircraft nosed over.
What happened
According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the engine of the agricultural aircraft began to operate roughly while the pilot was conducting the final swath of an aerial application mission. Recognizing that the power loss would prevent him from reaching his home base, the pilot elected to land in a nearby plowed field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a ditch and nosed over.
The investigation
The FAA inspector examined the circumstances surrounding the incident but did not determine the specific mechanical reason for the engine roughness that initiated the sequence of events.
Probable cause
Engine failure during aerial application operations, with the specific cause undetermined by the investigation.