# NTSB ATL85LA226: Grumman G-164A, N10AA, Athens, AL, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1985, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Athens, AL
- Location: 34.8029° N, 86.9717° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Athens, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8029&lon=-86.9717&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): 6838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL PRIOR TO TAKE OFF AND IT APPEARED AS IF THERE WAS ENOUGH FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT. THE FUEL GAUGE PRIOR TO TAKE OFF READ 35 GALLOSN. IT ALSO READ 35 GALLONS AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10AA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10AA-1989-08-02), registration cancelled 1989-08-02, S/N 681 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 681
- Airframe hours: 4511
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Claude J. Hayden III
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984
- Departed: DCU, DECATUR, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 976 total, 240 in this make and model, 823 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850729034639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850729034639A), Jul 29, 1985: Scwzer G164A, Athens, AL, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion during swath run. Struck fence row and pancaked in a field. Fuel gauges inaccurate.

## Other investigations on N10AA (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 MIA87LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA211), Jul 20, 1987: Schweizer G-164A (N10AA), Greenwood, MS, substantial damage

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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