Grumman-Schweizer G-164B

Full Narrative

On June 12, 2008, about 1840 mountain daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N48571, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Wilder, Idaho. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Carol's Flying Service of Wilder. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137.

According to the pilot, he was applying fertilizer to a field of hops. After several passes over the field, a total engine failure occurred. The pilot was forced to land the airplane in a small onion field. After touchdown, the pilot "forced the aircraft into the ground to avoid collision with a raised canal." The airplane made "one complete forward flip," which destroyed the tail section, and came to rest nose down.

Following its recovery to the operator's facility, the airplane was examined by the pilot and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. They noted metal chips and oil in the engine exhaust pipes and found all the spark plugs to be contaminated with oil. According to the pilot, these signatures were indicative of a supercharger failure.