Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 114 gallons of fuel and 250 gallons of weed killer, which was a normal load for this type of operation. He indicated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane started to get “light” so he attempted to become airborne. The airplane then settled back down on the runway, bounced, and then veered off the left side of the runway. The left wing impacted terrain and the airplane subsequently bounced into an adjacent open field. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 8, 2013, about 1600 central daylight time, a Grumman 164B airplane, N6902K, veered off the left side of the runway during takeoff and impacted terrain at a private airstrip in Beech Grove, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. During the attempted takeoff, the left wing impacted the ground and was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to HDS, Inc. and operated by Kin-CO Ag Aviation, Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In a statement provided by the pilot, the airplane was loaded with 114 gallons of fuel and 250 gallons of weed killer, which was a normal load for this type of operation. He checked his seat belt and shoulder harness and centered the airplane on the runway. During the takeoff roll, the pilot described the airplane as getting “light” so he attempted to become airborne. The airplane then settled back down on the runway, bounced off of the right main landing gear, and then veered off the left side of the runway. The left wing impacted terrain and the airplane subsequently bounced into the open field. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.