On July 20, 1996, a Grumman-schweizer G-164A (registration N9544) operated by Root Spraying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Dighton, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). The crop and soft terrain in the emergency landing area were related factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural aircraft lost altitude shortly after takeoff; despite full power and dumping the chemical load, it continued descending and struck terrain. No engine malfunction was found.
Incident Overview
Shortly after takeoff for an aerial application mission, the pilot observed a loss of altitude. In response, he advanced the throttle to full power and released the chemical load. Despite these actions, the airplane continued to descend and subsequently impacted terrain.
Post-Incident Examination
A post-incident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunction that would have resulted in a partial loss of power. The investigation did not identify any pre-impact engine anomalies.
Environmental Conditions
At the time of the incident, the reported temperature was 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and the density altitude was 5,175 feet. No further details regarding weather conditions were provided.