# NTSB CHI05LA176: Schweizer G-164B, N6631Q, Buxton, ND, July 7, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 2005, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Buxton, ND - Coordinates: 47.600486, -97.0904 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6005&lon=-97.0904&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 61939 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61939/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA176 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power on takeoff due to undetermined reasons. A factor was the ditch that the airplane contacted during the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The airplane collided with the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff from a private airstrip. The pilot stated that he was initiating the aerial application flight with 265 gallons of fungicide on board when the accident occurred. He reported that he performed an engine run-up which was normal. He stated that just after lifting off, the engine began to lose power and he did not have enough runway left to land back on the runway. The pilot stated that he was able to clear a ditch and a north/south road at the end of the runway and decided to attempt to land on an east/west road in front of him. He stated that the airplane contacted the south side of the road at which time the left gear collapsed. The airplane then slid across the road and came to rest in a ditch on the north side of the road. Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the magnetos fired when tested and continuity was established throughout the engine. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2005, at 0900 central daylight time, a Schweizer G-146B, N6631Q, collided with the terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff to the west on a private airstrip (2,200 feet by 16 feet, asphalt) in Buxton, North Dakota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the airplane was loaded with 265 gallons of fungicide in preparation for an aerial application flight. He stated that he performed an engine run-up which was normal. He stated that just after lifting off, the engine began to lose power and he did not have enough runway left to land back on the runway. The pilot stated he was able to clear a ditch and a north/south road at the end of the runway and decided to attempt to land on an east/west road in front of him. He stated he contacted the south side of the road at which time the left gear collapsed. The airplane then slid across the road and came to rest in a ditch on the north side of the road. Post accident examination of the airplane was conducted by an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office in Fargo, North Dakota. The inspector reported the airplane sustained impact damage to the left wing main attach fitting, the left main gear, and the firewall. The inspector stated the magnetos fired when tested and continuity was established throughout the engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6631Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6631Q-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 158B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 158B - Airframe hours: 8730 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-53H1-6 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Central Valley Aviation - Registered owner: Central Valley Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2004, 68 hours before - Departed: PVT, Buxton, ND - Destination: Buxton, ND - Airport: PVT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 6,400 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: GFK, 26 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 20050707022899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050707022899A), Jul 7, 2005: Scwzer G164B, Buxton, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) Individual has not been forthcoming in this investigation. Has not provided information pertaining to the accident, nor has he provided pilot history and… 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.