# Accident 20030516010879A: Scwzer G164B, Basin, WA, May 16, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 16, 2003, 12:45 local time
- Place: Basin, WA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Low Level Operations
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: MBHG
- Location: 46.5908° N, 119.2128° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5908&lon=-119.2128&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3629E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3629E-2023-05-16) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Schweizer G-164B (registry code 8059055, https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCWZER G164B
- Reported engine: GARRTT TPE331*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB SEA03LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA086) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030516010879A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE PILOT HAD BEEN FLYING THIS AIRCRAFT SINCE 6:10 AM NEVER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF FOR LOADING. ON THIS RUN AT 12:45, HE HAD BEGUN TO SPRAY A NEW FIELD AND HAD MADE SEVERAL RUNS WITH 80% FUNGICIDE LOAD AND 3/4 FUEL LOAD ON BOARD. HE MADE A TURN, REPOSITIONED FOR THE NEXT RUN, CAME IN OVER A SET OF WIRES AND AT 15 FEET THE GARRETT TPE 331 ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO AUTOFEATHER. THE PILOT LINED UP ON A DIRT ROAD BUT THERE WAS A TRACTOR ON IT WHO DID NOT SEE THE AIRCRAFT AND DID NOT MOVE, SO THE PILOT REPOSITIONED BACK TO THE FIELD. HE SET UP FOR A LANDING IN 3 FEET TALL HEAVY WHEAT, BLED OFF SPEED, AND SETTLED INTO THE CROP. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE CROP/GROUND, BUT THE PILOT KEPT THE LOAD AND WAS ABLE TO USE THE AFT CG TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT UPRIGHT. ONE OF THE FEATHERED PROPELLER BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND WITH ONE THUMP MOTION. THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES ON THE BLADES BUT THE ONE IS BENT AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE. THE AIRFRAME IS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THE TORQUE SENSOR BEARINGS FAILED. SENSING NO TORQUE, IT SHUT OFF THE FUEL AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO AUTOFEATHER.

## 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 SEA03LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA086), May 16, 2003: Grumman G-164B (N3629E), Basin City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the torque sensor idler gear duplex bearing during agricultural aerial application, resulting in a total power loss and a forced landing. Factors include tall wheat and soft terrain.

## Other reports on N3629E (3)

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

- [Accident 20180327007319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180327007319A), Mar 27, 2018: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B (N3629E), Stockton, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On March 27, 2018 at approximately 1405 PDT N3629E was substantially damaged after colliding with high transmission power lines an subsequent impact with…
- [Accident 20000726008449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000726008449A), Jul 26, 2000: Scwzer G164B (N3629E), Tracy, CA, No damage. (-23) Investigation on-site. Contacted [privacy data omitted], the manager of haley flying service. The aircraft was located in a tomato filed approximately…
- [Accident 19940508010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940508010319A), May 8, 1994: Scwzer G164B (N3629E), Gridley, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power spraying. Collided with canal ditch landing. NR8 cylinder had cracked from one spark plug hole to other.

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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