NTSB Factual Report

On July 31, 2001, about 1805 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6816Q, registered to an individual, crashed while attempting a forced landing following loss of engine power during takeoff at Edison, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated the takeoff was normal with the airplane accelerating normally and producing power. Once the main tires cleared the ground, he heard 3 short backfire sounds followed by a loss of engine rpm. He tried to make a slow right hand turn to attempt a landing on a field road. He decided not to continue straight ahead because of trees. The airplane was losing forward speed and altitude as he continued the right turn. Before he could dump the load of 135 gallons of chemical the airplane stalled. The left main landing gear struck the ground first followed by a nose over with the airplane on its back at final rest.

Postcrash examination of the airplane was conducted by an FAA inspector. The inspector stated the engine showed evidence of running at substantial power on contact with soil in the field. The propeller blades were bent in the direct that would prove without a doubt that there was no obvious problem with the engine. The inspector stated the winds had been gusting to 30 to 40 knots that day and the pilot had taken off downwind with a full load of fuel and chemical. (See FAA Inspector Statement)

NTSB Probable Cause

Partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff resulting in the airplane descending, colliding with the ground, and nosing over.