Accident Details
The pilot of a Grumman G-164B reported that he was on initial takeoff climb, turning to the northwest with 1,245 pounds of water, en route to a practice agricultural spray area. He stated that he reduced the throttle and rpm to the climb power setting while reducing the turn and passing through 300 feet. The airplane started to sink. According to the pilot, he added power without changing the climb profile, and the airplane continued to sink.
The pilot scanned the engine instruments, which indicated normal. He then turned to line up with a peanut field to make a precautionary landing. He pulled the power to the idle position and started to obtain a three-point attitude. Reportedly, he rounded out (flared) high, and the airplane landed hard.
The airplane then bounced about 40 feet across a dirt road, yawed to the left, and collided with the ground in a left wing low attitude. During the occurrence, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over.
Pilot Experience
The pilot reported that he had 3.5 hours in the Grumman G-164B airplane.