NTSB Factual Report

On May 9, 2011, at 0940 central daylight time, a Grumman Aircraft Corporation-Schweizer G-164A, was substantially damaged after colliding with trees after a total loss of engine power on take off from a private airstrip in Bono, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Heartland Aerial Sprayers, 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 the flight that was destined for Mission Valley, Iowa.

According to the pilot, the airplane had been flown the day before the accident and there were no reported problems. On the day of the accident, he performed a preflight examination of the airplane, which included sumping all of the fuel tanks. The pilot said he found some water in the tanks, but sumped them until they drained only aviation fuel. He then started the airplane, performed a normal engine run-up and departed. When the airplane was approximately 60 to 100-feet above the runway, the engine began "spitting and sputtering." The pilot made a forced landing off the end of the runway and collided with trees. After the airplane came to a stop, the pilot noticed a fire starting in the radial engine and was able to quickly egress the airplane.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed a post-accident examination of the airplane. He reported that both wings sustained substantial damage and the 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.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.