Accident Overview
On August 18, 2011, at 0936 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A (tail number N6567), operated by Aero Ag Services, Inc., impacted a rice field shortly after takeoff from a grass airstrip near El Campo, Texas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its top wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder.
Flight Details
The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application operation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight had departed from El Campo moments before the accident.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot-operator's accident report, after takeoff and while approximately 2 miles from the airstrip, the engine lost power. The pilot initiated an emergency procedure by dumping the fertilizer load and executed a straight-ahead landing in a flooded rice field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the engine revealed a crack radiating from the exhaust valve rocker box on the number 3 cylinder at the attachment point of the rocker arm bolt. The top of the rocker box had separated, leading to failure of the rocker arm. Examination of the remaining systems found no preimpact failures or anomalies.