# NTSB ATL84FA105: Grumman G-164B, N6558K, Dawson, GA, February 19, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1984, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Dawson, GA
- Location: 31.7433° N, 84.4193° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DAWSON MUNI (16J), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7433&lon=-84.4193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6257
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6257/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

A FAILED CYLINDER HEAD ASSEMBLY RESULTED IN A TOTAL POWER LOSS VERY SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AERIAL APPLICATION ACFT AT 30-50 FT AGL OVER THE RWY BEFORE IT PULLED UP STEEPLY, ROLLED AND ENTERED A NEAR VERTICAL UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO IMPACT. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED MOST OF THE WRECKAGE. DESPITE OPEN LEVEL TERRAIN OFF THE END OF THE RWY, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE RWY FOR A FORCED LDG. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED CYLINDER HEAD REVEALED EXTENSIVE FATIGUE CRACKING INITIATED IN THE CYLINDER LINER THREAD ROOTS AND BETWEEN THE COOLING FINS AT THE TOP OF THE CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6558K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6558K-1985-01-21), registration cancelled 1985-01-21, S/N 368B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 368B
- Engines: P&W R985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: S & W Flying Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1983, 70 hours before
- Airport: 16J, Dawson Municipal, runway 13, 300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 17 nm away

## 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 19840219051559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840219051559A), Feb 19, 1984: Scwzer G164B, Dawson, GA, Destroyed. Crash occurred during takeoff when engine failed and aircraft stalled, crashed and burned.

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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