Accident Details
On May 9, 2011, at 0940 central daylight time, a Grumman Aircraft Corporation-Schweizer G-164A sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees following a total loss of engine power on takeoff from a private airstrip in Bono, Arkansas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Heartland Aerial Sprayers of Mission Valley, Iowa. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. No flight plan was filed for the flight destined for Mission Valley, Iowa.
Pilot Actions
According to the pilot, the airplane had been flown the day before the accident with no reported problems. On the day of the accident, he performed a preflight examination that included sumping all fuel tanks. The pilot reported finding some water in the tanks but continued sumping until only aviation fuel drained. He then started the engine, performed a normal engine run-up, and departed. When the airplane reached approximately 60 to 100 feet above the runway, the engine began "spitting and sputtering." The pilot executed a forced landing off the end of the runway, colliding with trees. After the airplane came to a stop, the pilot observed a fire starting in the radial engine and was able to quickly egress.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane post-accident. Both wings sustained substantial damage, and a post-impact fire consumed the engine, cockpit, fuselage, empennage, left wing, and the inboard section of the right wing. Due to the extensive fire damage, the source of the engine failure could not be determined.