# NTSB ATL90LA171: Grumman G-164A, N7905, Americus, GA, September 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1990, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Americus, GA
- Coordinates: 32.069293, -84.219314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0693&lon=-84.2193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8274
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8274/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA171

## Probable cause

A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear spring - failure,total (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear spring - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED AT TOUCHDOWN. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT DISCLOSED A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE MODE WITH NO CLEAR POINT OF ORIGIN. IN 1974, SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP ISSUED A SERVICE NOTE WHICH DEFINED THE FAILURE CONDITIONS, AND THE INSPECTION PROCEDURES. THE FRACTURE ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED CLASSICAL FAILURE PROPERTIES OUTLINED IN THE SERVICE NOTE. THE PILOT RECORDED APPROXIMATELY 200 LANDINGS SINCE THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7905](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7905-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 811, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (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: 811
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Eugene Frazier
- Airport: Fraizer Airstrip, runway 6, 3,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,494 total, 677 in this make and model, 3,450 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CSG, 45 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 19900914039879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900914039879A), Sep 14, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Americus, GA, Destroyed. Right main gear failed at touchdown causing a ground loop and fire.

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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