N112JM

On June 20, 1994, at 1730 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N112JM, was substantially damaged near Brinkley, Arkansas, following a total loss of engine power during takeoff. The commercial pilot did not receive injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight.

During telephone interviews, the pilot and operator reported an "abnormal engine noise" occurred as the airplane crossed the departure end of the runway. The pilot dumped the load, cleared trees, and maintained level flight. The pilot said "the engine coughed and black smoke rolled from it." A witness also observed black smoke from the airplane. The pilot executed a forced landing into an adjacent rice field. During the landing roll, the main gear hit a rice levee and the airplane nosed over to an inverted position and slid into another rice levee before coming to rest. The rudder, vertical stabilizer, and wing spars were damaged.

During a telephone interview, a company mechanic stated that the reciprocating radial engine had 1,135 hours since the last overhaul. He further said the engine had between 9,000 and 10,000 total hours.

The engine and accessories were examined on August 24, 1994, at Greenwood, Mississippi. The report is enclosed. The supercharger impeller P/N 12788 was damaged where the blades had contacted the housing. Impeller bearing P/N 288943 had failed.

The airplane was released to the owner.