Schweizer Aircraft Corporation G-164B

Full Narrative

On April 2, 2024, about 1310 central daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B airplane, N75099, was substantially damaged during an accident near Kaplan, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 aerial-application flight.

The pilot reported that the flight departed a private airstrip with the engine torque at 50 lb-ft and the propeller speed at 2,200 rpm. After an uneventful takeoff, the pilot reduced engine torque to 40 lb-ft with the propeller speed at 2,000 rpm and continued north toward the field to be seeded with rice. About 1 mile from the intended field, the engine had a partial loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to increase/regain engine power to maintain altitude, which resulted in a forced landing in a nearby crawfish pond. The airplane came to rest inverted in the crawfish pond. The fuselage, upper wings, and the empennage were substantially damaged during the forced landing.

The wreckage was recovered and retained for a future examination.