N9873

On October 5, 1995, at 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N9873, collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Hamburg, Arkansas. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to, and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

During a personal interview, conducted by a FAA inspector, the pilot reported the following information. He had recently purchased the airplane and filed the registration documents with the FAA Aeronautical Center at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The airplane was registered with the State of Oklahoma; however, he had not applied to the FAA for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 operating certificate.

The pilot further stated to the FAA inspector that after refueling, the airplane departed Crossett, Arkansas, and flew to a private airstrip at the Bill Harvison Farm. Aerial application flights were conducted from the private airstrip with the hopper loaded with 150 gallons of sodium chlorate for spraying beans.

According to the pilot, during the initial takeoff climb, at 175 feet above the ground, the engine "started surging and losing power." During the landing flare and touchdown in a bean field, the airplane exited the field and hit a ditch paralleling a gravel road. Subsequently, the airplane crossed the road and came to rest in the ditch on the opposite side of the road. Structural damage occurred to the airframe and engine.

The enclosed Pilot/Operator report listed an engine cylinder as the failed component.