# NTSB ATL92LA129: Grumman G-164, N10273, Donalsonville, GA, June 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1992, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Donalsonville, GA
- Location: 31.0397° N, 84.8784° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Donalsonville, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0397&lon=-84.8784&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA129

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND HIS FAILURE TO DETECT WATER IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT HAD FINISHED SPRAYING CROPS AND WAS MANEUVERING OVER A LAKE. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO AVOID A LANDING IN SHALLOW WATER. STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10273](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10273-1998-12-17), registration cancelled 1998-12-17, S/N 73 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 73
- Airframe hours: 9542
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Croom, Rodney K., doing business as Croom Aviation
- Registered owner: Croom, Rodney K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: NONE, DONALSONVILLE, GA
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,025 total, 1,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 33 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 19920621027539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920621027539A), Jun 21, 1992: Scwzer G164, Donalsonville, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit over a lake. Ditched. Found water in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N10273 (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 MIA97LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA201), Jul 2, 1997: Grumman G-164 (N10273), Altha, FL, destroyed. Probable cause: The failure of the left main landing gear spring due to a preexisting fatigue crack resulting in the separation of the left main landing gear, and subsequent nose down during taxi.

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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