# NTSB ATL99LA133: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6736Q, Enterprise, AL, September 19, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 1999, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Enterprise, AL - Coordinates: 31.319482, -85.839714 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3195&lon=-85.8397&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47413/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA133 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the in-flight collision with a tree during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he departed Enterprise Airport with a full load of chemicals for aerial application to a nearby cotton field. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to surge. He adjusted the propeller lever control to the 'high' position and turned the fuel boost pump 'on.' He elected to return to the airport and while on short final he observed another airplane pass beneath him. His airplane, although surging, had been producing sufficient power therefore, he executed a left 360 degree turn for spacing. When the turn was nearly complete, the engine lost all power and he maneuvered for an open field. The airplane collided with a tree and then the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the wings, empennage, and fuselage were destroyed almost beyond recognition. The only recognizable portion of the engine was the power section and the entire turbine section was destroyed. A fuel sample of the Jet-A fuel used in the airplane showed no visible evidence of contamination. The airplane and engine were consumed by fire. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 1999, at 0920 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6736Q, collided with a tree and the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in Enterprise, Alabama. The airplane was operated by the commercial pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for the local agricultural flight. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was destroyed by the subsequent post-crash fire. The flight departed Enterprise, Alabama, at approximately 0910. According to the pilot, he departed Enterprise Airport with a full load of chemicals for aerial application to a nearby cotton field. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to surge. He adjusted the propeller lever to "high" and turned the fuel boost pump "on", but did not adjust the power lever because torque and exhaust gas temperature appeared normal. He elected to return to the airport and while on short final he observed another airplane pass beneath him. He felt he could not land ahead of or behind the other airplane without endangering both aircraft. His airplane, although surging, had been producing sufficient power therefore, he executed a left 360 degree turn for spacing. When the turn was nearly complete, the engine lost all power and he maneuvered for an open field. He collided with a tree and then the ground. The airplane subsequently caught fire but he was able to exit the airplane with only minor injuries. According to the FAA, examination of the wreckage revealed that the wings, empennage, and fuselage were destroyed almost beyond recognition. The only recognizable portion of the engine was the power section and the entire turbine section was destroyed. A fuel sample of the Jet-A fuel used in the airplane showed no visible evidence of contamination. The airplane and engine were consumed by fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6736Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6736Q-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 250B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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: 250B - Airframe hours: 4910 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-43A 575 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Frank E. Albright - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 12, 1999, 193 hours before - Departed: EDN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,860 total, 2,340 in this make and model, 10,755 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 7 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OZR, 9 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 19990919033709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990919033709A), Sep 19, 1999: Scwzer G164B, Enterprise, AL, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot-in-command (PIC) reported the aircraft engine surged just after his 0900L takeoff from Enterprise airport, AL (edn) on September 19, 1999. The… ## Other investigations on N6736Q (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 MIA84LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84LA060), Jan 16, 1984: Grumman AG-CAT (N6736Q), Homestead, FL, destroyed 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.