# NTSB ATL93LA134: Grumman G-164A, N8373, Ashford, AL, July 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1993, 11:11 local (16:11 UTC)
- Place: Ashford, AL
- Coordinates: 31.179395, -85.229309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1794&lon=-85.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA134

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. A FACTOR WAS THE TREES AT THE FORCED LANDING SITE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND QUIT. OIL SPRAY WAS OBSERVED ON THE WINDSHIELD SHORTLY FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF POWER. HE ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING, AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A PEACH TREE, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE SUPERCHARGER ASSEMBLY FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 1993, at about 1111 central daylight time, a Grumman G164A, N8373, was substantially damaged following a reported loss of engine power near Ashford, Alabama. The commercial pilot was not injured. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 by Howell Cropdusters, Inc., of Bainbridge, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight originated in Bainbridge at about 1200 eastern daylight time.

The pilot reported that he was performing an aerial application maneuver when the engine quit. He observed oil spray on the windscreen after the engine lost power. While attempting a forced landing, the aircraft collided with a peach tree and was structurally damaged.

The operator reported that the engine quit due to a failure of the supercharger assembly. The operator did not comply with 49 CFR Part 830, requiring the completion of NTSB Form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8373](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8373-1994-05-26), registration cancelled 1994-05-26, S/N 871 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 871
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Howell Cropdusters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Howell Cropdusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 410 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 15 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 19930725025489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930725025489A), Jul 25, 1993: Scwzer G164A, Ashford, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on spray turn around. Struck tree on forced landing. Reported failure of supercharger assembly.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.