Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B N629EH accident near Knox, Indiana

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB analysis

The aerial application flight, which was operated within the load limitations of the airplane, was the pilot’s 5th flight of that day. The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, about 15 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane would not continue to climb. The pilot advanced the throttle, but the engine did not seem to respond. The airplane was in a nose-high attitude when the right wing impacted a corn field near the end of the grass airstrip. The airplane came to rest in the corn field and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

Postaccident examination of the engine and accessories revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Earthen debris within the engine, internal rotational scoring, and the exhaust duct torsional buckling were consistent with engine operation at the time of impact. Some contaminants were noted within the engine accessories; however, these contaminants were consistent with environmental exposure during the impact sequence and the presence of rust due to the length of time between the accident and subsequent examinations. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power could not be determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA349 for the full record.