DFW05CA094

The 10,000-hour pilot reported that while maneuvering, the engine suddenly lost power and the pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane's main landing gears sunk into the mud, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the radial engine revealed that the number nine cylinder head was cracked between both sparkplugs.

On February 25, 2005, approximately 1600 central standard time, a tailwheel equipped Grumman G-164A single-engine agricultural airplane, N8501H, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Tuckerman, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Tuckerman Flying Service, of Tuckerman, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91personal flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Tuckerman, Arkansas, at an unknown time.

During a telephone interview with an NTSB representative, the 10,000-hour pilot reported that while maneuvering, the engine suddenly lost power. He initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane's main landing gears sunk into the mud, nosed over, and came to rest inverted.

Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the horizontal stabilizer and rudder were destroyed. The outboard leading edge of the lower left wing was crushed aft. Both wing struts were broken.

Examination of the 600-horsepower Pratt and Whitney R-1340 radial engine by the airplane owner revealed that the number nine cylinder head was cracked between both sparkplugs.