CHI01LA300

The pilot said he took off from runway 12 (3,911 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Atlantic, Iowa, and proceeded south. The pilot said during the takeoff, the airplane's engine attained 2,100 rpm and 34 inches of manifold pressure. The pilot said when the airplane lifted off, his manifold pressure was 30 inches. The pilot said it went down to 28 inches. The pilot said he elected to land in a corn field. He was unable to clear trees that were ahead of him. The pilot said that after the airplane stopped he noticed a fire coming from the left side of the airplane at the cowling. The pilot said he got out of the airplane and walked away. Then a fireball occurred. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.

On September 3, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6598K, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted into a corn field 1/2 mile south of the Atlantic Municipal Airport, Atlantic, Iowa, and subsequently exploded. A post crash fire ensued. The pilot reported that prior to the accident the airplane's engine lost power immediately after takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, who exited the airplane prior to the explosion, reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

In his written statement, the pilot said he took off from runway 12 (3,911 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt). He said during the takeoff, the airplane's engine attained 2,100 rpm and 34 inches of manifold pressure. The pilot said when the airplane lifted off, his manifold pressure was 30 inches. The pilot said it went down to 28 inches. The pilot said he elected to land in a corn field. He was unable to clear trees that were ahead of him.

In his statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot said he hit level into the corn field. The pilot said that after the airplane stopped he noticed a fire coming from the left side of the airplane at the cowling. The pilot said he got out of the airplane and walked away. Then a fireball occurred.

A FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was preceded by 75 feet of damaged corn stalks. The corn stalks were approximately 8 feet tall. The airplane, with exception of the left and right wing tips, the engine, and the propeller, was charred, melted, and consumed by fire. The engine was charred and several accessory components were melted. The propeller was charred. One of the three propeller blades was bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and remaining airplane components showed no anomalies.