N61227

On July 30, 2003 at 1615 eastern daylight time, an Air Tractor AT401B, N61227, registered to and operated by D and D Spraying Inc., collided with the ground during climb-out from a private airstrip in Girard, Georgia. The agricultural flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed the private strip in Girard, Georgia, on July 30, 2003 at 1600.

According to the pilot, he loaded the airplane to complete a spraying operation in a nearby field. During the climb-out approximately 100 feet the engine lost power. The pilot continued on takeoff heading and collided with trees during an emergency descent. Examination of the airplane revealed the wings and the fuselage were buckled. Examination of the Pratt & Whitney 1340 AN-1 radial engine revealed the engine supercharger blower seals failed. Engine oil was found in the combustion chamber and the spark plug electrodes were saturated with oil.