ERA19LA267

The pilot was departing on the first flight of the day to conduct aerial seeding. After takeoff, he noticed that the engine began to vibrate, but the rpm seemed normal. He made a right turn and the engine started to lose power and then "quit." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the airplane nosed over, and a post-crash fire ensued. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 9 pushrod was stuck in the open position and the gland seal was brittle. Review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the No. 9 pushrod was removed, and the gland seal was replaced on the day of the accident before the accident flight. It is likely that since the No. 9 valve was stuck in the open position, it caused the cylinder to lose compression and power in flight.

On September 8, 2019, at 1525 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8386K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Berlin, Maryland. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he was departing on the first flight of the day to conduct aerial seeding with 2,000 lbs. of wheat seeds. After liftoff, he noticed that the engine began to vibrate, but the rpm seemed normal. The pilot made a right turn and the engine started to lose power and then "quit." The pilot stated that he was "too low to attempt a restart," and he performed a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the airplane nosed over, and a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot exited the airplane and contacted the local authorities. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's fuselage and both the upper and lower wings were buckled. Examination of the cockpit, firewall and the engine accessories revealed they were fire damaged. An examination of the engine revealed the No. 9 pushrod was stuck in the open position and the gland seal was brittle. Borescope examination of the cylinders did not show any signs of scoring or internal damage. Valvetrain continuity was observed on the master rod, pistons, pushrods, and rockers while turning through 360°. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the No. 9 pushrod gland seal was replaced on the day of the accident before the accident flight. A test run was performed on the engine, and the airplane was returned to service.