# NTSB CEN09CA283: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream, N8080K, Iowa, LA, May 7, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2009, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Iowa, LA - Coordinates: 30.224166, -93 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2242&lon=-93.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73793 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA283 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73793/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73793 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA283 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to the Number 8 cylinder head cracking and separating from the barrel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis During initial takeoff from a private airfield, the single-engine agricultural airplane experienced a substantial loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll-out the airplane collided with a levy, nosed over, and caught fire. The pilot was able to egress the airplane uninjured before the airplane was consumed by the postimpact fire. The airplane had been fully fueled and loaded with applicant. An inspection of the engine revealed that the Number 8 cylinder assembly cracked through the spark plug holes, resulting in the cylinder head separating from the barrel in flight. ## Factual narrative During initial takeoff from a private airfield, the single-engine agricultural airplane experienced a substantial loss of engine power. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing roll-out the airplane collided with a levy, nosed over, and caught fire. The pilot was able to egress the airplane uninjured before the airplane was consumed by the post-impact fire. The airplane had been fully fueled and loaded with applicant. An inspection of the engine revealed that the #8 cylinder assembly cracked through the spark plug holes resulting in the cylinder head separating from the barrel in-flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8080K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8080K), registered now, S/N 554 B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM (G-164B) - Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 554 B - Airframe hours: 13410 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 550 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: O Brien Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: O Brien Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2009, 72 hours before - Departed: LA71, Iowa, LA - Destination: LA71, Iowa, LA - Airport: LA71, O'Brien Flying Service Airport, runway 21, 3,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 1,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: CWF, 7 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 20090507007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090507007939A), May 7, 2009: Scwzer G164, Iowa, LA, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot departed a grass strip for the purpose of aerial application. The engine lost power shortly after takeoff. The pilot attempted an emergency… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73793. 594 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 594 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314363&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.