# NTSB CEN10CA426: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N6772Q, Alexandria, LA, July 22, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2010, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, LA
- Coordinates: 31.327222, -92.548614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3272&lon=-92.5486&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 76731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA426
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76731/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76731
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA426

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was performing an aerial application run when he observed smoke emanating from the engine. Immediately following the smoke, the engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot attempted to return to the airfield, but the airplane would not maintain altitude/airspeed. The pilot then elected to conduct a forced landing in the rice field. During the landing, the airplane rolled for 50-150 yards and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. A visual inspection of the engine failed to identify the reason for the loss of engine power. At the time of writing, the pilot had not returned a completed NTSB Form 6120.1, (The Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report), as requested.

## Factual narrative

The commercial rated pilot was performing an aerial application run when a “puff” of smoke came from the engine. Immediately after the puff of smoke, the engine lost power, but kept running. The pilot tried to return to the airfield, but the airplane would not maintain altitude/airspeed. The pilot then elected to conduct a forced landing in the rice field. During the landing, the airplane rolled for 50-150 yards before flipping over onto its back. The pilot was not injured; however, the airplane sustained substantial damage in the forced landing. A visual inspection of the engine failed to identify the reason for the loss of engine power. At the time this report was submitted, the pilot had not returned a completed NTSB Form 6120.1, (The Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report), as requested.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6772Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6772Q), registered now, S/N 281B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-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: 281B
- Engines: P & W PT6 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Vincent Flying Service
- Registered owner: Vincent Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Alexandria, LA
- Destination: Alexandria, LA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 8,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KAEX, 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 20100722043549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100722043549A), Jul 22, 2010: Grumman Acf G-164B, Alexandria, LA, Substantial damage. During spray operations pilot experienced reduced engine performance and landed in a soft terrain rice feild. Airplane main gear sunk in mud and airplane…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76731. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot statement (item 1, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337405&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20statement-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337406&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo: N6772Q (item 3, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20N6772Q-Master.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.

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