# NTSB ATL99LA055: Schweizer G-164B, N3629T, Bay Springs, MS, March 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 19, 1999, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Bay Springs, MS - Coordinates: 31.980825, -89.280624 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9808&lon=-89.2806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45928 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45928/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA055 ## Probable cause THE FUEL CONTROL DRIVE BEARING FAILURE AT THE INTERMEDIATE GEAR RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel system,fuel control - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot was maneuvering at a low altitude spraying chemicals on a stand of trees, when the engine lost power. He selected an area for an off-airport forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with trees. The engine examination revealed an internal gearbox failure, and metal debris was found in the output housing at the forward scavenge strainer. There was also bearing remains recovered from the gearbox assembly. Examination of the fuel control drive train revealed that the intermediate gear had uncoupled from the dual idler gear and there was a bearing failure at the intermediate gear. The oil filter and chip detector were removed and both were contaminated with metal particles. ## Factual narrative On March 19, 1999, at 1450 central standard time, a Schweizer, G-164B, N3629T, collided with trees during an emergency landing, following a loss of engine power in Bay Springs, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by Payne's Flying Service, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight. The pilot was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed from Bay Springs, Mississippi at 1440. According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at a low altitude, actively spraying chemicals on a stand of trees, when the engine lost power. The pilot selected an area for an off-airport forced landing. The airplane collided with trees during the attempted forced landing. The engine examination revealed an internal gearbox failure, and revealed metal debris, in the output housing at the forward scavenge strainer. There were also bearing remains recovered from the gearbox assembly. The examination of the fuel control drive train revealed that the intermediate gear had uncoupled from the dual idler gear and there was a bearing failure at the intermediate gear. The engine oil filter and chip detector were, removed and both were contaminated with metal particles. Approximately one hour of fuel was available in the fuel system during the wreckage examination. A visual examination of the remaining wing sumps failed to disclose visible water or contaminants. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3629T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3629T-2010-07-23), registration cancelled 2010-07-23, S/N 751B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 751B - Airframe hours: 9196 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-6-252M 847 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Payne'S Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 26, 1999, 75 hours before - Departed: 00M, MS - Airport: 00M, Thigpen Field, runway 16, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,620 total, 2,250 in this make and model, 5,472 as pilot in command, 390 in the last 90 days, 257 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PIB, 20 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 19990319002289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990319002289A), Mar 19, 1999: Grumav STCG164, Bay Springs, MS, Substantial damage. Acft lost power during aerial application and came to rest in some trees, other circumstances are unknown. (.19)on March 19, 1999, at 1600 eastern standard… ## Other investigations on N3629T (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 FTW00LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA200), Jul 8, 2000: Schweizer G-164B (N3629T), Moscow, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: the failure of the power output reduction gear to the propeller. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. 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.