# NTSB CEN17LA151: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A, N971QC, Nome, TX, April 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 8, 2017, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Nome, TX - Coordinates: 30.036388, -94.414169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0364&lon=-94.4142&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94987 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94987/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94987 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA151 ## Probable cause An in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined based on available information. ## 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 (turbine/turboprop)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057200): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057200/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057200/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: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [After landing: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting agricultural operations when he noticed a "burnt wire" smell. He stated that smoke began to fill the cockpit, and he noticed flames outside the airplane. The pilot shut off the fuel selector and conducted a forced landing to a hay field. After landing, the fire consumed the majority of the airplane. Review of maintenance records revealed the airplane's original engine was replaced by a turbine engine under a supplemental type certificate (STC); however, the STC holder did not perform or authorize the installation. Although the STC involved replacing the fuel lines every 5 years, the investigation revealed no records indicating that the fuel lines were replaced in accordance with the STC. Fire damage prevented a detailed examination of the engine installation; therefore, the origin of the fire could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 8, 2017, about 0750 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A agricultural airplane, N971QC, conducted a forced landing near Nome, Texas. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was destroyed by fire during the accident. The airplane was registered to and operated by Twin County Air-AG, Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he was conducting spray runs, when he noticed a burnt wire smell, he then noticed a low oil pressure indication. He partly opened the cabin door and noticed flames. The smoke and fire increased. Due to smoke in the cockpit, he had difficulty in seeing, but was able to find the engine fuel shut-off valve and closed it. The smoke cleared enough for him to select a hay field for a forced landing. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted that after landing, the fire consumed the majority of the airplane. A review of the airplane records on file with the FAA, revealed that the airplane's original radial engine was replaced by a Walter M601E-11 turboprop engine; the Walter engine was subsequently replaced by Pratt & Whitney turboprop PT6A-27 engine on February 1, 2010. The FAA inspector reported that the shop who owned the supplemental type certificate (STC) for the Pratt & Whitney did not perform, nor authorize the engine installation. He added the STC installation required special routing on the engine connections, including a 5-year replacement on the fuel lines. Investigators did not receive any records indicating the fuel lines were replaced in accordance with the STC. He also noted that the airplane's battery had recently been replaced. The fire damage prevented a detailed inspection of the engine installation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N971QC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N971QC-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 1655, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164A (A) - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1655 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 900 - Engines: Pratt & Witney PT6A-27 turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Twin County Air-Ag Inc - Registered owner: Twin County Air-Ag Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2017 - Departed: T90, Winnie, TX - Destination: T90, Winnie, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 9,000 total, 6,800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20170408014409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170408014409A), Apr 8, 2017: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, China, TX, Destroyed. The pilot reported that during straight and level flight between fields, he started to smell what he described as burnt wire insulation. Shortly after that he… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94987. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memo (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454277&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo-Master.PDF - Maintenance 337 Forms (excerpt) (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20337%20Forms%20(excerpt)-Master.PDF - Photos (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 795 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.