# NTSB CHI01LA300: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6598K, Atlantic, IA, September 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 2001, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Atlantic, IA - Coordinates: 41.390678, -95.009696 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3907&lon=-95.0097&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53404 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53404/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA300 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the takeoff and initial climb, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. Factors relating to this accident were the corn crop and the low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered (cause) - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - altitude - low (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said he took off from runway 12 (3,911 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt) at Atlantic, Iowa, and proceeded south. The pilot said during the takeoff, the airplane's engine attained 2,100 rpm and 34 inches of manifold pressure. The pilot said when the airplane lifted off, his manifold pressure was 30 inches. The pilot said it went down to 28 inches. The pilot said he elected to land in a corn field. He was unable to clear trees that were ahead of him. The pilot said that after the airplane stopped he noticed a fire coming from the left side of the airplane at the cowling. The pilot said he got out of the airplane and walked away. Then a fireball occurred. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 2001, at 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6598K, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted into a corn field 1/2 mile south of the Atlantic Municipal Airport, Atlantic, Iowa, and subsequently exploded. A post crash fire ensued. The pilot reported that prior to the accident the airplane's engine lost power immediately after takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, who exited the airplane prior to the explosion, reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot said he took off from runway 12 (3,911 feet by 75 feet, dry asphalt). He said during the takeoff, the airplane's engine attained 2,100 rpm and 34 inches of manifold pressure. The pilot said when the airplane lifted off, his manifold pressure was 30 inches. The pilot said it went down to 28 inches. The pilot said he elected to land in a corn field. He was unable to clear trees that were ahead of him. In his statement to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot said he hit level into the corn field. The pilot said that after the airplane stopped he noticed a fire coming from the left side of the airplane at the cowling. The pilot said he got out of the airplane and walked away. Then a fireball occurred. A FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was preceded by 75 feet of damaged corn stalks. The corn stalks were approximately 8 feet tall. The airplane, with exception of the left and right wing tips, the engine, and the propeller, was charred, melted, and consumed by fire. The engine was charred and several accessory components were melted. The propeller was charred. One of the three propeller blades was bent aft. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine and remaining airplane components showed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6598K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6598K), registered now, S/N 381B, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 318 - Airframe hours: 7534 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: R. E. Pettis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 2001 - Departed: AIO, Atlantic, IA - Destination: AIO - Airport: AIO, Atlantic Municipal Airport, runway 12, 3,911 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review April 12, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 7,000 total, 650 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: AIO, 1 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 20010903024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010903024479A), Sep 3, 2001: Scwzer G164B, Atlantic, IA, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated he departed Atlantic, Iowa airport on runway 12 with 110 gallons of liquid chemical and full fuel. After lift off aircraft started losing… 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.