Accident Overview
On July 7, 2012, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164/A, registration N6583, experienced a loss of engine power while conducting aerial application operations near Egeland, North Dakota. The airplane subsequently performed a forced landing to a wheat field, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant and operator, was not injured.
Flight Details
The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 for aerial application. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft had departed from the Cando Municipal Airport (9D7), Cando, North Dakota, at an unspecified time.
Pilot Report
According to the pilot, he had completed two application passes over the wheat field. During the reversal turn after the second pass, the airplane cleared a set of power lines and began to settle. The pilot applied full throttle, but the engine did not respond, and the aircraft continued to descend. He flared the airplane and landed in the wheat field. During the landing roll, the landing gear failed, causing substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot stated, "As far as I could tell, the engine stopped making power and settled in the field."
Aircraft and Engine Examination
The airplane was a Grumman G-164/A equipped with a 450-horsepower Pratt and Whitney R-985 carbureted engine. Examination of the propeller blades revealed leading edge gouges, chordwise scratches, and blade twist, which were consistent with the engine operating at the time of ground impact.
Weather Conditions
The surface weather observation at Rugby, North Dakota, located 39 nautical miles southwest of the accident site, at 1235 reported: wind from 250 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point 17 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.23 inches of mercury. The FAA Carburetor Icing Probability Chart indicated the potential for carburetor ice accumulation while operating at a sustained idle engine power setting.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, with the right wing affected due to landing gear failure during the forced landing.