# NTSB ATL97LA011: Grumman G-164B, N6756K, Abbeyville, AL, October 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 31, 1996, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Abbeyville, AL - Coordinates: 31.560785, -85.249755 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5608&lon=-85.2498&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 4, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3801/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA011 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot was on the turnaround of the fourth swath run when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot selected a forced landing area, he dumped the load, and established an approach to the field. As the pilot continued the approach, he realized that he could not make the field, therefore he decided to land the airplane in the tops of trees. He slowed the airplane to five miles per hour above the stall speed and settled into the trees. The subsequent examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem, however, the review of engine maintenance information disclosed that the engine had been in service for 2033 hours since the last overhaul. The recommended time between overhauls is 1200 hours; this is not a mandatory requirement. A review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Factual narrative On October 31, 1996, at 0700 central standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N6756K, collided with trees while maneuvering for a forced landing near Abbeville, Alabama. The aerial application flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial rated pilot was not injured. The flight departed Shorterville, Alabama, at 0645. According to the operator, the pilot was on the turnaround of the fourth swath run when he experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot selected a forced landing area near the field where the spraying operation was being conducted. The pilot stated that he dumped the his load and established an approach to the field. As the pilot continued the approach, he realized that he could not make the field, therefore he decided to land the airplane in the tops of trees. He slowed the airplane to five miles per hour above the stall speed and settled into the trees. The subsequent examination of the engine assembly failed to disclose a mechanical problem, however, the review of engine maintenance information disclosed that the engine had been in service for 2033 hours since the last overhaul. The recommended time between overhauls is 1200 hours; this is not a mandatory requirement. A review of weather data disclosed that conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice. ## Aircraft - Registration: N6756K (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164B - Category: Airplane - Airframe hours: 5482 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: B&H Flying Service Inc., - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1996, 178 hours before - Departed: SHORTERVILLE, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DHN ## 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 19961031045469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961031045469A), Oct 31, 1996: Scwzer G164B, Abbeyville, AL, Substantial damage. (.4) On October 31, 1996, at 0700 central standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N6756K, collided with trees while maneuvering for a forced landing near abbeville,… 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.