# NTSB ATL89DKJ03: Grumman G-164A, N8881H, Loxley, AL, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC)
- Place: Loxley, AL
- Coordinates: 30.619035, -87.75061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6190&lon=-87.7506&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 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ03

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE, AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT.

## 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
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE FOLLOWING A PULL-UP MANEUVER AT THE END OF A FIELD THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING. THE PILOT INITIALLY STATED THAT HE JUST GOT BEHIND THE POWER CURVE AND SETTLED IN WITH NO POWER PROBLEMS. HE LATER REPORTED THAT 'THE ENGINE SPUTTERED', AND IT WAS AS IF HE WAS NOT GETTING FULL POWER. THE PILOT DESCRIBED OPERATING CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH CARBURETOR ICE FORMATION. THE DEW POINT WAS NOT RECORDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8881H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8881H-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 1559, built 1975 (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: 1559
- Airframe hours: 3415
- Engines: P&W R 1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bonner Aerial Applicators, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1988, 327 hours before
- Departed: SUMMERDALE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,200 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °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 19890522012169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890522012169A), May 22, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Loxley, AL, Substantial damage. Got behind the power curve on pullup from a spray run and settled to impact with the ground. No mechanical problems

## Other investigations on N8881H (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 ATL87DKG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DKG05), Jul 30, 1987: Schweizer G-164A (N8881H), Summerdale, AL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA79FKQ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA79FKQ16), Jul 13, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N8881H), Batesville, 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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