# NTSB CEN15LA330: Grumman G-164A, N963X, Emmett, KS, July 31, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2015, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Emmett, KS - Coordinates: 39.30722, -96.056388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3072&lon=-96.0564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 16, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 99-11-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/99-11-02), [AD 56-06-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/56-06-02) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91683 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91683/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91683 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA330 ## Probable cause The engine failure due to several loose, damaged cylinder stud nuts and hold-down bolts. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s failure to detect that the cylinder nuts and hold-down bolts were not properly secured during the engine’s most recent inspection. ## 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: [Grumman G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061500/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Maintenance/inspections](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010500/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting an agricultural application flight. The pilot reported that, while making a spray run, he heard a loud "bang" and saw a puff of smoke emanate from the upper right side of the engine, followed by the propeller seizing. He made a forced landing in a field, and the airplane collided with some bushes and then nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed several loose cylinder stud nuts and hold-down bolts that appeared to have been pushed up on the cylinder skirt. Several of the studs, particularly the No. 4 cylinder stud, were stretched and looked to be nearly pushed out of the engine crankcase. One cylinder was almost separated from the crankcase. Examination of the airplane's maintenance logbooks revealed that the engine had received a major overhaul more than 8 years before the accident. The records indicated that, since that time, inspections of the cylinder heads and the cylinder hold-down studs had been conducted in compliance with two Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness directives. The engine was last inspected about 3 months before the accident. During this inspection, maintenance personnel checked the cylinder bases and heads for cracks and loose studs; however, they did not detect that the cylinder nuts and hold-down bolts were not properly secured. ## Factual narrative On June 31, 2015, about 1130 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N963X, impacted terrain after the engine lost power near Emmett, Kansas. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Precision Aerial Ag LLC of Seneca, Kansas, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Wamego, Kansas approximately 1100.According to the pilot's accident report, he was making a spray run when he heard a loud "bang," saw a puff of smoke emit from the upper right-hand side of the engine, and then the propeller seized. He made a forced landing in a brome field, collided with some bushes, and nosed over. Examination of the engine on-site by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration revealed several loose cylinder stud nuts and hold-down bolts that appeared to have been pushed up on the cylinder skirt. Several of the studs – number 4 cylinder in particular -- were stretched and looked to be nearly pushed out of the engine crankcase. One cylinder was about to separate from crankcase. Examination of the engine maintenance logbook revealed the engine had received a major overhaul on February 13, 2007. On March 10, 2010, Airworthiness Directive (A.D.) 99-11-02 was complied with by inspecting the cylinder heads. On March 2, 2011, February 22, 2012, May 30, 2013, and May 13, 2014, A.D. 56-06-02 was complied with by inspecting the cylinder hold-down studs. On July 15, 2014, the engine and propeller were removed due to a blower bearing failure. On August 10, 2014, after the engine and propeller were reinstalled, and again on March 18, 2015, the cylinder bases and heads were checked for cracks and loose studs. At the time of the last inspection, the tachometer read 6,730 hours, and the engine had accrued 506.68 hours since major overhaul. The accident site was located at 14624 A4 Road, Emmett, Kansas. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N963X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N963X-2018-06-04), registration cancelled 2018-06-04, S/N 477, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 477 - Year built: 1968 - Airframe hours: 6730 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Precision Aerial Ag, LLC - Registered owner: Precision Aerial Ag, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 18, 2015 - Departed: 69K, Wamego, KS - Destination: 69K, Wamego, KS - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 650 total, 275 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KMHK, 28 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 20150731013779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150731013779A), Jul 31, 2015: Grumman G-164A, Emmett, KS, Substantial damage. While finishing up spraying operations in a field 2 miles east of Emmett KS, the pilot heard a loud bang from the engine, followed by a puff of smoke. Soon… ## Other investigations on N963X (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 FTW70DRG51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70DRG51-118586), Jun 14, 1970: Grumman G-164 (N963X), Edcouch, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91683. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 741 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Telephone Conversation with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Telephone%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - FAA Accident Notes (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%20Notes-Master.PDF - Engine Maintenance Log (item 4, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Maintenance%20Log-Master.PDF - Map of Accident Site (item 5, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 6, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437740&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Report Photos (item 7, .PDF, 5 photos, 418 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437741&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20Photos-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.