This June 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Grumman Ag-Cat.
Location: Sayre, Okla.
Injuries: None.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The purpose of the flight was aerial application. The airplane was approximately 100 feet above ground when the engine lost power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot made a controlled descent into small trees off the end of the runway. The airplane nosed over.
An FAA inspector examined the airplane, and reported there was sufficient fuel on board for the flight and both water accumulators were empty. The cause for the partial loss of engine power was not determined.
Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power on takeoff-initial climb for an undetermined reason.
At 100 AGL engine lost power(Para. 1) or FAA said partial loss of engine power (para 2.) Did the pilot even try an engine restart? At 100′ AGL it only is seconds from disaster but you can go down trying and still fly the plane to a tree or the ground.