# NTSB ATL89DKG01: Grumman G-164A, N9755, Dawson, GA, February 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1989, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Dawson, GA
- Location: 31.7719° N, 84.4435° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dawson, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7719&lon=-84.4435&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKG01

## Probable cause

TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO LEAKING CARBURETOR FLOAT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN USED FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## 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
  - fuel system,carburetor float - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT WAS COMPLETING THE SECOND AERIAL APPLICATION RUN OVER A WHEAT FIELD WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ATTEMPTS TO REGAIN POWER WERE ONLY MOMENTARILY SUCCESSFUL AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN THE WHEAT. ON ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT WENT INTO A PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS LEAKING WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXCESSIVELY RICH MIXTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9755](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9755-2018-06-04), registration cancelled 2018-06-04, S/N 1250, built 1974 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1250
- Airframe hours: 8726
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hayes Flying Service
- Registered owner: Charles L. Mclendon
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 29, 1989, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,867 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890210001929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890210001929A), Feb 10, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Dawson, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Nosed over landing in a plowed field. Carburetor float leaked, flooding the engine.

## Other investigations on N9755 (2)

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 CEN15LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA175), Mar 17, 2015: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A (N9755), New Roads, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to three stuck exhaust valves.
- [NTSB ATL89DKG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKG05), Jul 31, 1989: Grumman G-164A (N9755), Dawson, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER HEAD.

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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