# NTSB ATL83LA348: Grumman G-164A, N5256, Clinton, KY, August 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1983, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Clinton, KY
- Coordinates: 37.749095, -87.110908 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7491&lon=-87.1109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA348
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA348

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - worn (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - loose (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - other
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS SPRAYING A FIELD THAT WAS BORDERED BY OBSTACLES. WHEN HE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY THRU A PROCEDURE TURN, THE ENG BEGAN 'BACKFIRING & LOSING POWER.' THE PLT MOVED THE THROTTLE TO ABOUT THE 1/2 POWER SETTING, HOPING THE CONDITION WOULD BE CORRECTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THERE WAS A HIGH POWER LINE ON ONE SIDE OF THE FIELD & A 300 FT TRANSMITTING TOWER ON THE OTHER. ALSO, THERE WAS A WOODED AREA AT THE END OF THE FIELD. THEREFORE, THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SMALL, ROLLING FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE WINGS WERE DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE FRONT SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOTY; THE REAR SPARK PLUGS WERE RUSTED & COULD NOT BE REMOVED; THE #2, #4 & #8 CYLINDERS HAD BLOWN EXHAUST GASKETS; THE LEFT MAGNETO TIMING BUSHING WAS WORN EXCESSIVELY & THE MAGNETO WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5256](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5256-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N 540, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 540
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Wroten John R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1983
- Departed: CLINTON, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,812 total, 300 in this make and model, 4,762 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830831045569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830831045569A), Aug 31, 1983: Scwzer G164A, Clinton, KY, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on a spray run. Crash landed. Found worn out magneto, blown exhaust gaskets and rusted igniters.

## Other investigations on N5256 (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 FTW76DRJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DRJ04), Aug 11, 1975: Grumman G-164A (N5256), Rayville, LA, destroyed

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.

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