# Accident 20020806021559A: Scwzer G164B, Sturgis, MI, August 6, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 6, 2002, 20:39 local time
- Place: Sturgis, MI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: NIXG
- Location: 41.8008° N, 85.4206° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8008&lon=-85.4206&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8444K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8444K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer G-164B (registry code 8059055, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 series (registry code 52016, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCWZER G164B
- Reported engine: GARRTT TPE3311151A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI02LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA238) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020806021559A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON AUGUST 8, 2002, AT 2037 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A SCHWEIZER G-164B, N8444K, PILOTED BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE MANEUVERING NEAR STURGIS, MICHIGAN. THE 14 CFR PART 137 AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT WAS OPERATING IN VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT, WHO WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS NOT INJURED. THE TIME AND PLACE OF ORIGIN OF THE FLIGHT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. (-23) PILOT CRASHED IN BEAN FIELD WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER AND SEIZED UP. PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL SPRAYING OPERATIONS AT THE TIME OF ACCIDENT.

## 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 CHI02LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA238), Aug 7, 2002: Schweizer G-164B (N8444K), Sturgis, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the turbine section of the engine, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing. The low altitude was a factor.

## Other reports on N8444K (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19850829041829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850829041829A), Aug 29, 1985: Scwzer G164B (N8444K), Constantine, MI, Substantial damage. After seeding pass engine backfired and lost power. Nosed over in soft field. Supercharger had failed.

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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