FTW97LA117

The agricultural airplane was applying fertilizer to a field when the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected an open meadow in which to make an emergency landing. On approach to the meadow, he maneuvered over a set of power lines and lost 'most of [his] flying airspeed.' The airplane landed hard in the meadow, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine by the operator revealed that the blower (integral supercharger) had failed.

On March 6, 1997, at 0945 central standard time, a Grumman G-164, N527Y, registered to Adventure Leasing LLC and operated by Green's Ag Sprayers under Title 14 CFR Part 137, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Newkirk, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local aerial application flight that originated from a private airport 10 minutes before the accident.

On the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he was making his first pass to apply fertilizer to a field when the airplane's engine "began to lose power." He then "pushed all power levers to full power which resulted in a severe vibration." The engine continued to lose power, and the pilot selected "an open meadow" in which to make an emergency landing. On approach to the meadow, the pilot "had to get the plane over a set of power lines which resulted in the loss of "most of [his] flying airspeed." The airplane "landed hard on its gear which collapsed them causing damage to the underside and engine resulting in the plane flipping over."

During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the operator reported that examination of the engine revealed that the blower (integral supercharger) had failed.