N9830

On May 19, 1995, about 0900 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, N9830, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in a flooded rice field near Colusa, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during aerial application operations. The aircraft was operated by Miller Flying Service of Colusa, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight originated at a farm road near the field about 10 minutes prior to the accident as part of a series of flights conducted that morning.

In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he was on his second spray run spreading rice seeds when the engine began to lose power. The pilot described the power loss as a gradual reduction in power output without roughness. In spite of full throttle application, the engine power output continued to decline. The pilot elected to attempt a forced landing in a flooded field, which was the only clear area void of obstructions he felt he could make with the power output available. The pilot said the aircraft stalled about 10 feet off the ground and the aircraft landed hard.

The operator reported in a telephone interview that no discrepancies were found during an examination of the engine. The operator declined to complete a NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, Form 6120.1/2.