# Accident 20150731013779A: Grumman G-164A, Emmett, KS, July 31, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 31, 2015, 11:50 local time
- Place: Emmett, KS
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: 7PEG
- Location: 39.3072° N, 96.0564° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3072&lon=-96.0564&mi=10
- Aircraft: N963X, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N963X-2018-06-04) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman G-164A (registry code 3952704, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Jacobs R755A series (registry code 35006, https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Reported engine: P&W R1340
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN15LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA330) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150731013779A

## Narrative

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

WHILE FINISHING UP SPRAYING OPERATIONS IN A FIELD 2 MILES EAST OF EMMETT KS, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY A PUFF OF SMOKE. SOON THEREAFTER, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE PROPELLER SIEZED.

THE PILOT, IN MAKING FOR AN OPEN FIELD, VEERED NORTHWEST AND CROSSED OVER COUNTY ROAD (A4) AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. HE MANAGED TO CLEAR THE TREE LINE THAT FOLLOWED THE ROAD, BUT NEEDED TO CORRECT HIS HEADING 45 DEGREES TO THE WEST IN ORDER TO LINE UP WITH THE FIELD AND AVOID A TREE LINE THAT BORDERED THE NORTH EDGE OF THE FIELD.

AFTER TURNING LEFT 45 DEGREES, THE AIRCRAFT ABRUPTLY LOST REMAINING ALTITUDE AND STRUCK THE GROUND WHICH WAS RISING (A SLIGHT HILL). THE AIRCRAFT APPEARS TO HAVE HIT LEFT GEAR FIRST AND BOUNCED TO THE RIGHT GEAR BEFORE SETTLING. THE PROPELLER, WHICH WAS FROZEN AT NEAR HORIZONTAL POSITION, IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE BLADE ON THE LEFT SIDE, CURLING IT AT THE TIP.

DIRECTLY IN THE PATH OF THE AIRCRAFT, APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM INITIAL IMPACT, WAS A PATCH OF SMALL TREES/SHRUBS/BUSHES. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED INTO THE GROUND AND FLIPPED OVER LANDING IN THE PATCH OF BUSHES UPSIDE DOWN AND FACING THE DIRECTION FROM WHICH IT CAME.

THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR BRUISING AND INSECTICIDE/FUNGICIDE CONTAMINATION. HE WAS WEARING A HELMET AND DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL INJURIES.

KHP TROOPER REPORTED SEEING A PUDDLE OF FUEL AT THE SITE.

## 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 CEN15LA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA330), Jul 31, 2015: Grumman G-164A (N963X), Emmett, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The engine failure due to several loose, damaged cylinder stud nuts and hold-down bolts. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to detect that the cylinder nuts and…

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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