Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's not obtaining/maintaining proper climb rate.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was on initial climb with a hopper full of a herbicide for an aerial application flight. After departure the airplane descended into the terrain where impact and a post accident fire destroyed the airplane. The pilot does not recall events after the airplane started settling. There were no eyewitnesses to the accident. A post accident examination failed to reveal any preexisting mechanical anomalies.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 11, 1995, at 0735 central daylight time, a Schweizer G- 164B, N6623Q, was destroyed and the commercial pilot sustained serious injuries when it impacted the terrain shortly after takeoff from Kenmare Municipal Airport, Kenmare, North Dakota. The local 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions. The pilot reported that he did not recall anything except the airplane settling after takeoff. He did not report any mechanical difficulties. No eyewitnesses to the accident were located. A post accident investigation failed to reveal any pre-existing mechanical anomalies. The airplane hopper was loaded with the herbicide (2-4-D) at the time of the accident. A post-impact fire consumed most of the airframe. -