Engine Failure During Climb Leads to Agricultural Airplane Accident (N6641Q)

Incident Description

A commercial pilot with 828 hours of flight time was operating a single-engine agricultural application airplane. The flight departed from a private grass strip measuring 3,500 feet in length and 100 feet in width, initiating a climb on a northerly heading. During the climb-out maneuver, the pilot began a turn to the east. At that point, the engine started to vibrate and run rough, subsequently losing power. The pilot reported activating the dump valve to release the insecticide payload in order to reduce the airplane's weight. Following the dump, the pilot stated that the airplane "rolled to the left past 80-degrees." The airplane then impacted muddy terrain in a near-vertical attitude. The aircraft was equipped with a 5-point restraint system, which held the pilot in place throughout the sequence.

Examination Findings

After the accident, the operator conducted an examination of the radial engine. The inspection revealed that the number three cylinder was cracked. No other mechanical anomalies were reported in the source material.