# NTSB CEN14LA375: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A, N6743Q, Fairview, KS, July 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 18, 2014, 08:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Fairview, KS - Coordinates: 39.853889, -95.729721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8539&lon=-95.7297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89688/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89688 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA375 ## Probable cause The backfire of the engine and its loss of power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while the airplane was cruising at 600 feet above ground level, the engine backfired and experienced a partial loss of power. He subsequently made an emergency landing to a road. During the landing, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the airplane stalled, which resulted in a bounced hard landing. The airplane then slid sideways into a telephone pole, which resulted in damage to the wings and fuselage. Due to impact damage, an engine test run could not be conducted. The induction air filter was found distorted outward and opposite from the direction of normal airflow, which is indicative of an engine backfire. A postaccident engine examination revealed that the No. 2 cylinder oil control ring was broken. However, it could not be determined when the oil control ring was broken or if the engine backfiring allowed the ring to break. No other anomalies with the engine were noted. The reason for the engine backfire and subsequent loss of power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 18, 2014, about 0845 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A airplane, N6743Q, made a forced landing on a road following a loss of engine power near Fairview, Kansas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Precision Aerial Ag LLC, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed the Amelia Earhart Airport (K59), Atchison, Kansas, at 0830 and was en route to the Sabetha Municipal Airport (K83), Sabetha, Kansas. According to the pilot's statement, he was ferrying the airplane and was cruising at 600 feet above ground level. The airplane's engine began to "backfire very loudly" and experienced a partial loss of power. He descended and lined up to land on a rural road; he noticed a car on the road so he circled over a field and attempted to landing on the road again. During the landing, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the airplane stalled, which resulted in a bounced hard landing. According to the responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, after landing the airplane slid sideways into a telephone pole which resulted in damage to the wings and fuselage. One of the two propeller blades had a slight bend. Due to impact damage the engine was not able to be test run. The engine continuity was confirmed as the crankshaft rotated without obstruction. The fuel tanks contained fuel. The magnetos both rotated freely and produced a spark. The induction air filter was protruding outward and opposite from the direction of normal airflow. One of the rocker box covers sustained impact damage. No other anomalies were noted on scene. The airplane was recovered to a storage facility for examination by the FAA inspector and an engine mechanic. On August 1, 2014, the inspector witnessed the removal of the No. 2 cylinder. The oil control ring in the cylinder was broken. The intake valve operated with no anomalies noted and did not display any damage. The induction air filter bracket and frame were distorted and the filter could not be removed. No other anomalies were noted with the engine. A review of the engine maintenance logbooks revealed that a major engine overhaul was completed on November 12, 1996. On February 4, 2014 an annual inspection was completed and determined to be in airworthy condition. On July 17, 2014 the No. 5 pushrod tube was resealed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6743Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6743Q-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 1715 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1715 - Airframe hours: 5863 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Precision Aerial Ag LLC - Registered owner: Precision Aerial Ag LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 4, 2014 - Departed: K59, ATCHISON, KS - Destination: K83, SABETHA, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 460 total, 180 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KFNB, 15 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 20140718012759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140718012759A), Jul 18, 2014: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Fairview, KS, Substantial damage. The aircraft departed atchison, KS airport (K59) at 0820 on 7-18-2014 for a flight to sebetha, KS (K83) to return from having the aircraft brakes resealed.… ## Other investigations on N6743Q (3) 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 FTW88DRD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD01), Oct 8, 1987: Grumman G-164A (N6743Q), Port Allen, LA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW83LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA220), May 11, 1983: Grumman G-164A (N6743Q), Bastrop, LA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW81DRJ18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DRJ18), Jun 8, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N6743Q), Bonita, LA, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89688. 12.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421145&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Maintenance Logbook Excerpts (item 2, .PDF, 754 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Excerpts-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – View of main wreckage from the rear (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20View%20of%20main%20wreckage%20from%20the%20rear%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Referenced No. 2 cylinder parts (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421154&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Referenced%20No.%202%20cylinder%20parts%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3 – Air filter (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421156&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20%E2%80%93%20Air%20filter%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)%0D%0A-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. --- 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.