FTW02LA239

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he fueled the airplane from a main fuel tank located at the airstrip. While he fueled the airplane, the main fuel tank was being filled by the local distributor. After the airplane's fuel tanks were full of fuel, the pilot departed the airstrip. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost total power, and did not restart. The pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field. An FAA inspector reported that the fuel found in the airplane's fuel tanks was contaminated with "water and sludge."

On August 20, 2002, approximately 1130 central daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B single-engine agricultural airplane, N991QC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a corn field following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb from a private airstrip near Simmesport, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Golden Wings Air Inc., of Lettsworth, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he fueled the airplane from a main fuel tank located at the airstrip. While he fueled the airplane, the main fuel tank was being filled by the local distributor. After the airplane's fuel tanks were full of fuel, the pilot departed the airstrip. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost total power, and did not restart. The pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted.

According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, both wings, and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers sustained substantial damage. The inspector reported that the fuel found in the airplane's fuel tanks was contaminated with "water and sludge."