Primary finding
Probable cause
The total failure of the engine supercharger, which resulted in engine stoppage. A factor was the rough terrain at the forced landing site.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The ag pilot reported that the engine lost power about 1 mile past the departure airstrip. The aircraft cleared some trees and power lines, and was force landed in a corn field. The aircraft nosed over on the rough terrain. An examination of the engine revealed that the supercharger assembly had failed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 23, 1993, at about 1000 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N4824, nosed over during landing following a reported engine power loss near Atmore, Alabama. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 by Wallace Flying Service, Inc., of Atmore. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the following: He took off on runway 27 and turned toward the west-southwest. At about one mile from the airstrip, and over a wooded area, the engine lost power. He force landed the airplane in a corn field after clearing power lines. After touchdown, the aircraft nosed over on the rough terrain. The aircraft was recovered to the operator's facility following the accident. A partial disassembly of the engine revealed that the supercharger assembly had failed. -