N48594

On December 1, 2020, about 1430 central standard time, a Grumman G164 airplane, N48594, was involved in an accident near Elton, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

According to the pilot, the airplane contained a load of fertilizer and was near maximum gross weight when it departed from the local grass strip to fertilize a ryegrass field about 3.5 miles to the north. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began “running bad", and the pilot added power, but the engine began running worse. The pilot reported the engine then stopped developing power and he made a forced landing in a muddy field about ¼ mile from the grass strip. The airplane nosed over during the landing and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder.

The engine and airframe were examined at the operator by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration. Visual examination of the engine revealed no anomalies. The engine fuel filter and oil filter were clean and clear of contaminants. Compression was noted on all engine cylinders. The magnetos were removed and tested at a repair facility. A functional test of the magnetos revealed no anomalies.

The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor ice while operating at cruise or glide power setting. However, the engine power setting used during the takeoff would have been significantly higher than the cruise or descent engine setting; therefore, it is unlikely that carburetor ice accumulated during the accident takeoff.