On May 10, 1996, a Grumman G-164B (registration N6832K) was involved in an aviation accident near Iowa, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Contact with a fence post during takeoff due to delayed acceleration caused by tall grass along the left edge of the airstrip. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During takeoff from a grass airstrip for aerial application work, tall grass impeded acceleration. The lower wing struck a fence post at the runway end and separated.
What happened
The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight while operating out of an unimproved grass strip. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered tall grass along the left edge of the airstrip which significantly affected acceleration. As the airplane reached the departure end of the runway, the lower wing came in contact with a fence post and separated.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical separation of the wing structure following the ground impact. Examination confirmed that the lower wing sustained damage upon striking the fence post at the end of the takeoff run.
Probable cause
Contact with a fence post during takeoff due to delayed acceleration caused by tall grass along the left edge of the airstrip.