FTW98LA410

The commercial pilot executed a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power while en route back to the operators private airstrip. The airplane was flying at 300 feet AGL, seven to eight miles northeast of the operator's airstrip, when the engine made a 'loud pop and began to vibrate very severely.' Three to four seconds elapsed and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane came to rest upright, on a fence. The engine logbooks were reviewed and no entries were found that would have contributed to a loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could be determined.

On September 25, 1998, at 1110 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A agricultural airplane, N983X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near, Mart, Texas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Aggie Air Flying Services of Mart, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Mart, Texas, at 1017.

The pilot and operator reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that the pilot dispensed 180 gallons of sevin, a pesticide, near Coolidge, Texas, and initiated the return flight to the operator's private airstrip near Mart. The tail wheel equipped airplane was seven to eight miles northeast of Mart, flying at 300 feet AGL, when the engine made "a loud pop and began to vibrate very severely." Three to four seconds elapsed and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane touched down 350 feet short of a five strand barbed wire fence. The pilot stated that he applied right rudder to direct the airplane away from the fence. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright on the fence.

The 39 years old pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 4,000 flight hours, of which 2,500 hours were in the G-164A airplane. Furthermore, the pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 180 hours in the last 90 days.

An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and confirmed that the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing, including the spar, was buckled. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.