Stinson SR9 N83K accident near Bode, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to take off from an unimproved bean field with insufficient length for the airplane to clear adjacent corn stalks.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he performed a precautionary landing in a bean field due to a rough-running engine. The pilot then had an airframe & powerplant mechanic look at the airplane and perform multiple engine run-ups. The rough-running engine was determined to be caused by carburetor ice.

The pilot then loaded his two passengers into the airplane and attempted to take off from the bean field. He added that, as the airplane began to gain altitude, it approached the end of the open bean field. Subsequently, the landing gear contacted corn stalks in an adjacent field, descended into the corn field, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA433 for the full record.