Probable cause
The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. The corn crop was a factor.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power and began shaking violently as the airplane was approximately mid-field downwind for landing. He stated that he had insufficient altitude to execute a power-off landing to the runway and elected to land the airplane in a farm field. He said that he flared the airplane and as the airplane settled into the corn, he applied full aft elevator but the airplane pitched nose down and flipped onto its back. He stated that he had performed a pre-flight engine run-up before the accident. He made no mention of any discrepancies noted during the run-up, takeoff, or initial climb out.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA242 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 8, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jefferson, Iowa
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer G-164A
- N-number
- N73PB
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Other work use
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.