# NTSB ATL94LA084: Grumman G-164B, N48717, Ozark, AL, April 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1994, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Ozark, AL
- Coordinates: 31.429899, -85.639724 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4299&lon=-85.6397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA084

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - ground
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE SELECTED AN ADJACENT FIELD AND ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING; DURING THE LANDING THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AT THE ACCIDENT SITE AND THE SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE.

## Factual narrative

On April 20, 1994, at 1730 central daylight time, a Grumman       G-164B, N48717, collided with the ground while attempting a forced landing near Ozark, Alabama. The aerial application flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial airframe damage; the pilot was not injured. The flight departed a pasture in Ozark at 1710 hours.

According to the pilot, he was on a spraying swath run when he heard the engine surge twice, followed by a complete loss of engine power. The pilot selected a nearby field and attempted a forced landing; the airplane touched down on the soft ground and nosed over.

Examination of the airplane at the accident site, and the engine during a subsequent engine teardown examination, failed to disclose a mechanical malfunction or component failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48717-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 120B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 120B
- Airframe hours: 3979
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-1 665 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Payne Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1994
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 21 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 19940420010979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940420010979A), Apr 20, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Ozark, AL, Substantial damage. During swath run pilot reported engine surged and flamed out. Collided with ground. No engine anomalies found.

## Other investigations on N48717 (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 DFW06CA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA113), Apr 28, 2006: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N48717), De Witt, AR, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.

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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