Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B N6754Q accident near Covington, Oklahoma

Probable cause

The airplane’s failure to climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that, after takeoff for an aerial application flight, the airplane was "a little sluggish" while he was maneuvering it about 30 feet above the ground. He stated that he was gently pulling back on the control stick when the airplane started to descend. He then advanced the throttle; however, the airplane continued to descend and then impacted terrain and flipped over. Postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that the engine instruments did not indicate any power loss and that he topped off the fuel tanks before the flight. He also reported that the wind at the time of takeoff was about 5 knots with no gusts, and the atmospheric conditions were not conducive to the accumulation of carburetor ice. The airplane was below its maximum takeoff gross weight. The reason for the airplane's failure to climb could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA322 for the full record.