On May 19, 1999, a Grumman G-164B (registration N6861K) was involved in an aviation accident near Okanogan, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A malfunctioning carburetor. Factors include a downdraft, and the soft dirt in a newly plowed field. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While maneuvering over an orchard, a downdraft pushed the pilot against his restraints; the engine then quit. The pilot performed a forced landing in an alfalfa field, bounced, and nosed over after touching down in plowed ground.
Accident Overview
A pilot was maneuvering over an orchard in preparation for spraying when he encountered a sudden downdraft. The downdraft pushed him up against his seat belt and shoulder straps. Approximately two seconds later, the engine ceased operating and could not be restarted.
Forced Landing
The pilot elected to attempt a forced landing in an alfalfa field directly ahead. The aircraft initially touched down in the alfalfa but bounced back into the air. It touched down a second time in an area that had been freshly plowed. The main landing gear sank into the soft dirt, causing the aircraft to nose over.
Post-Accident Inspection
During the post-accident engine inspection, the engine would not start until the carburetor was struck a couple of times with a hammer. After being jarred, the engine started and was able to be test run. Disassembly of the carburetor did not reveal whether the float had stuck, an orifice had been temporarily blocked, or whether there had been some other malfunction.