# NTSB ATL87LA184: Grumman G-164A, N7687, Cottonwood, AL, June 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1987, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AL
- Coordinates: 31.18078, -85.229934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1808&lon=-85.2299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA184

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL FOR THE ACFT DURING THE PREFLT AND RUNUP. HE HAD JUST ABOUT COMPLETED HIS FIRST SWATH RUN WHEN HE REPTD THAT THE ENGINE SHOOK A LITTLE AND STARTED BACKFIRING. HE PULLED UP AND STARTED ACROSS A SWAMP TOWARD A PAVED ROAD THAT HE PLANNED TO USE FOR AN EMER STRIP. THE ENGINE CONTD TO LOSE PWR AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE AND TREES JUST SHORT OF THE ROAD. THE ENG WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED DURING THE IMPACT SEQUENCE. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE PLT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7687](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7687-2008-04-28), registration cancelled 2008-04-28, S/N 1000, built 1972 (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)
- 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: 1000
- Airframe hours: 5277
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ashford Air Service
- Registered owner: Savelle, Paul
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1986, 340 hours before
- Departed: AHSFORD, AL
- Airport: Lucky Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 3,101 total, 2,900 in this make and model, 2,991 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 20 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 19870621021839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870621021839A), Jun 21, 1987: Scwzer G164A, Cottonwood, AL, Substantial damage. Power loss. Collided with a light pole and a dirt bank on the forced landing. Suspect water condensation in magneto

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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