# NTSB CEN17LA163: Grumman Schweizer G-164, N9533, Palmer, KS, April 17, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 2017, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Palmer, KS - Coordinates: 39.561943, -97.188056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5619&lon=-97.1881&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 April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - ADs cited in the narratives: AD 99-00-02 (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 95048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95048/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95048 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA163 ## Probable cause A crack in the cylinder of the radial engine, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. ## 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 Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/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-164A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3952801), [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: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot stated that he was conducting an aerial application flight when he heard two "pop" sounds and the engine lost power. The pilot continued flying about 1/3 of a mile before being forced to land. He turned left to avoid a fence and landed in a newly planted wheat field, during which the airplane rolled over five terraces before it spun 180° and came to a stop. The airplane sustained damage to the propeller/engine, right lower wing, and firewall. Examination of the radial engine revealed a crack on an engine cylinder located at the 3 o'clock position of the engine. According to logbook entries, an airworthiness directive regarding a visual inspection for cylinder cracks was completed at the most recent annual inspection, about 37 hours before the accident. It could not be determined if the crack was not detected during the most recent inspection or if it originated after the inspection. ## Factual narrative On April 17, 2017, about 1145 central daylight time, a Grumman Schweizer G-164A airplane, N9533, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power in the vicinity of Palmer, Kansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to Hunninghake Aerial Spraying LLC, Baileyville, Kansas, and the aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated at 1030 from the pilot's private airstrip near Baileyville, Kansas. According to the pilot, the aircraft was flying in a southerly direction over the application area when he heard a "pop" sound. The pilot then heard a louder "pop" sound, and the engine lost power. The pilot continued flying in a southerly direction about 1/3 of a mile before being forced to land. The pilot turned to the left to avoid a pasture fence and landed in a southeast direction in a newly planted wheat field. During the landing, the aircraft rolled over 5 terraces. Skid marks and numerous blade ground strikes where found at each terrace location. Ground scaring indicated that the propeller/engine separated from the aircraft before it spun 180° and came to a stop. The pilot exited the airplane uninjured. The right lower wing at the forward inboard spar and the engine firewall was found severely wrinkled. During the landing sequence, the hopper tank dump valve was opened and the herbicide chemical escaped. Examination of the engine at the accident site revealed a crack on an engine cylinder located at the 3 o'clock position of the Pratt & Whitney 1340 radial engine. According to log book entries, airworthiness directive AD 99-00-02 visual inspection for cylinder cracks, was completed at the last annual inspection conducted on November 28, 2016, about 37.1 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9533](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9533-2020-12-05), registration cancelled 2020-12-05, S/N 1188, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN SCHWEIZER G-164 - 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: 1188 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 12020 - Engines: P&W 1340-S3H1G 650 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hunninghake Aerial Spaying LLC - Registered owner: Hunninghake Aerial Spaying LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2016, 364 hours before - Departed: Baileyville, KS - Destination: Palmer, KS - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,400 total, 190 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: CNK, 25 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 20170417008489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170417008489A), Apr 17, 2017: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Palmer, KS, Substantial damage. During aerial application operations engine lost power resulting in forced landing and aircraft accident. Investigation located engine cylinder head severely… ## Other investigations on N9533 (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 DEN76DTM71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76DTM71), Jun 20, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N9533), La Jara, CO, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 31, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95048. 4.2 MB in all. - FAA Inspector Report (item 1, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479514&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Report-Master.PDF - Overhead Schematic of Accident Area (item 2, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Overhead%20Schematic%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Photo Array CEN17LA163 (item 3, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN17LA163-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement CEN17LA163 (item 4, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20CEN17LA163-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.