Accident Overview
A pilot participating in a flour bomb competition at a local airport experienced an engine hesitation after releasing the flour, followed by a stall and forced landing in a cornfield. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage.
Flight Sequence
According to the pilot, during a bomb run parallel to runway 18, she slowed the airplane to 80 knots with zero flaps, mixture rich, throttle at about 75 percent, and carburetor heat on. Approximately 300 feet above ground level, she dropped the bag of flour. Immediately after, she advanced the throttle to full, ensured the mixture was full rich, zero flaps, and carburetor heat in the cold position. However, the engine hesitated when full throttle was applied.
Maneuvers After Engine Hesitation
The pilot reported lowering the nose to increase airspeed and making a left turn to re-enter the pattern before establishing a positive rate of climb. When she lowered the nose, airspeed increased to about 100 knots indicated, but the airplane did not climb. It continued descending into a cornfield, bounced, and when the airplane settled back to the ground, the left main landing gear wheel became stuck in the mud, causing the airplane to nose over.
Pilot's Additional Report
Per the Pilot's Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1 rev. 2013), the pilot stated that when full throttle was applied, the heading of 180 degrees should have been maintained until adequate airspeed was attained before turning crosswind. She asserted that if the heading of 180 degrees was maintained when full power was not achieved, the plane could have landed on the runway.
Witness and Inspector Findings
A Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector visited the accident site, interviewed witnesses, and inspected the airplane. According to witness statements, the airplane was below the flour bomb designated minimum altitude of 200 feet above ground and was flying very slow. Witnesses reported that the aircraft stalled, lost altitude, and landed in a cornfield just off the airport property.