# Accident 20000518013329A: Scwzer G164A, Biggs, CA, May 18, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 18, 2000, 16:30 local time
- Place: Biggs, CA
- Airport: Private
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 39.4209° N, 121.6691° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4209&lon=-121.6691&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5335, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5335) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman G-164A (registry code 3952704, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 series (registry code 52016, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCWZER G164A
- Reported engine: PWA R1340AN1
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 20,000 total, 11,800 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX00LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA199) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000518013329A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ENGINE LOST POWER DURING PASS OVER RICE FIELD, PILOT LANDED IN SAME FIELD A/C TURNED OVER ON CONTACT WITH WATER, A/C RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES. (.4)ON MAY 18, 2000, AT 1630 HOURS PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A GRUMMAN G-164A, N5335, EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AERIAL APPLICATION, THEN NOSED OVER DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN A RICE FIELD NEAR BIGGS, CALIFORNIA. THE AIRPLANE, OPERATED BY WILLIAMS AG. SERVICE UNDER 14 CFR PART 137 AS AN AGRICULTURAL OPERATION, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS EXISTED FOR THE RICE SEEDING OPERATION AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED ABOUT 1615 AT A PRIVATE DIRT FIELD IN BIGGS, AND WAS SCHEDULED TO TERMINATE THERE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THIS WAS THE SIXTH FLIGHT OF THE DAY. HE HAD REFUELED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WITH 60 GALLONS OF FUEL, AND WAS CARRYING A FULL LOAD OF RICE SEED IN THE HOPPER. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN LOSING ENGINE POWER ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, AND HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN PASTURE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER,                                                                         THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER AND HE LANDED SHORT OF THE PASTURE IN A FLOODED, MUDDY, RICE FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE MAIN WHEELS DUG INTO THE MUD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. A FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE ON MAY 15, 2000, AT THE OWNER'S FACILITIES IN BIGGS. HE OBSERVED A CRACK IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE AREA BELOW THE ROCKER SHAFT THAT CONTINUED THROUGH THE PUSH ROD BOSS AREA. NO FURTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX00LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA199), May 18, 2000: Grumman G-164A (N5335), Biggs, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The broken exhaust valve rocker arm of the number 3 cylinder that resulted in a total loss of engine power during an aerial application flight.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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