N5398

On July 21, 2001, at 1930 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N5398, spray airplane, operated by a commercial pilot was destroyed during takeoff from a private airstrip 2 miles southeast of Dodge Center, Minnesota, when it ran off the runway. A post-crash fire ensued. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In his written statement, the pilot said that while taking off to the south the airplane did not lift off like normal. The pilot said the airplane moved to the left side of the runway. The pilot said, "I got the left wing in the corn. The airplane went sideways until [the] right gear collapsed. Then it started on fire."

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was consumed by the post-crash fire. The corn crop in the immediate vicinity of the airplane was also consumed by fire. Flight control continuity was established. An examination of the engine revealed that the propeller governor had failed. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies.