Grumman G-164 accident near Marshalltown, Iowa, August 7, 2005

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The agricultural spray airplane was destroyed by impact with the terrain and post impact fire during a forced landing after a loss of power during takeoff from an asphalt runway. The pilot reported that he completed the sixth spray load of the day and he landed to refuel and take on chemicals. He topped off the fuel tanks and loaded about 115 gallons of pesticide water mix. He reported that the airplane was functioning normally when he departed. At approximately 100 feet above ground level (agl) at the departure end of the runway, the engine began to lose power. He did not have enough power or altitude to perform a 180-degree turn back to the airport, nor was he in a position to make it to a road for an emergency landing. He dumped the load and landed in a corn field just west of the airport. After the airplane came to a rest, it caught fire and was consumed. The pilot was able to exit the airplane and received minor injuries. A witness reported that he observed the airplane during the takeoff, and he heard the airplane's engine sputtering and backfiring as it banked to the west. The inspection of the airplane revealed damage to the engine and its accessories, but impact and post impact fire damage precluded the identification of any mechanical anomalies that may have been present prior to the accident.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.