Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Grumman G-164B Ag Cat, N8386K: Accident occurred September 08, 2019 near Bunting's Field Airport (4MD1), Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Baltimore, Maryland

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N8386K

Location: Berlin, MD
Accident Number: ERA19LA267
Date & Time: 09/08/2019, 1525 EDT
Registration: N8386K
Aircraft: Grumman G164
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On September 8, 2019, at 1525 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8386K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Berlin, Maryland. The commercial pilot was not injured. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The aerial application flight was operated by Buntings Dusting Inc. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The flight originated from Bunting's Field Airport, Berlin, Maryland at 1515.

According to the pilot, he was departing for the first flight of the day to conduct aerial seeding with 2,000 lbs. of wheat seeds. After liftoff he noticed that the engine began to vibrate, but the rpm seemed normal. The pilot made a right turn and the engine started to lose power and then "quit." The pilot said he was "too low to attempt a restart," so he elected to make a forced landing in a cornfield. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot exited the airplane and contacted the local authorities.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest inverted in a cornfield. The airplane's fuselage and both the upper and lower wings were buckled. Examination of the cockpit, firewall and the engine accessories revealed they were fire damaged.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Grumman
Registration: N8386K
Model/Series: G164 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:No 
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OXB, 11 ft msl
Observation Time: 1453 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 6 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 23°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.78 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Berlin, MD (4MD1)
Destination: Berlin, MD (4MD1) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude:

BERLIN, Maryland - A small plane crashed Sunday afternoon in Worcester County, Maryland State Police said.

Police said troopers were called around 2:40 p.m. to a cornfield off of Tall Timber Road near Makin Lane in Berlin, where a Grumman G-164B Ag Cat crashed and burst into flames.

According to a preliminary investigation, the pilot, Robert Bunting, 62, of Berlin, told troopers that he had engine trouble and landed his plane in the field.

Bunting, the owner of the aircraft, was checked by paramedics and released.

The plane was not carrying any chemicals on board at the time of the crash, state police said. The Berlin Fire Company extinguished the fire.

No injuries were reported. The incident remains under investigation.

Original article can be found here ➤ https://www.wbaltv.com

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