On May 15, 2001, a Grumman-schweizer G-164B (registration N6778K) was involved in an aviation accident near Rosharon, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Factors were the weather conditions and the muddy terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aerial application aircraft lost airspeed and altitude during a turn, and despite applying full power and dumping fertilizer, it impacted a wet rice field, flipped inverted, and came to rest.
Event Description
An aerial application flight departed from a dirt airstrip heading east. After turning downwind and flying approximately 500 yards, the airplane began to lose airspeed and altitude. The pilot responded by applying full power and initiating the dump of the dry fertilizer load, but the airplane did not recover. The aircraft subsequently impacted a wet rice field. Upon impact, the main landing gear sank into the mud, causing the airplane to flip onto its back, coming to rest in the inverted position.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that the wind conditions at the time were from 180 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 18 knots, with moderate turbulence and dust devils present in the area.