# NTSB CHI05LA234: Grumman G-164, N553Y, Georgetown, MN, August 9, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 9, 2005, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, MN - Coordinates: 47.126388, -96.780555 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1264&lon=-96.7806&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62442 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA234 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62442/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA234 ## Probable cause The reported loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while maneuvering and the low altitude of the operation. Related factors were the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot, and trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - altitude - low (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The agricultural airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during an aerial application. The airplane then impacted a powerline pole, trees, and terrain while the pilot attempted a forced landing. The inspection of the engine revealed no anomalies associated with the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 9, 2005, at 1430 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N553Y, operated by Mueller Aviation, LLC., received substantial damage on impact with terrain following a reported loss of engine power near Georgetown, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Georgetown, Minnesota, at 1420. The pilot stated that while completing a turn on the fifth pass over the field he was spraying, the engine speed decreased "rapidly." The engine began to fluctuate when he "fully" advanced the throttle. The engine continued to lose power as the airspeed decreased "quickly" while coming out of a turn. The airplane impacted trees along the field, impacted a powerline pole along the field, and then impacted a field. Inspection of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration revealed no anomalies associated with the reported loss of engine power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N553Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N553Y-2008-05-14), registration cancelled 2008-05-14, S/N 224, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 224 - Airframe hours: 6891.48 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Mueller Aviation, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2005, 62 hours before - Departed: PVT, Georgetown, MN - Destination: PVT, Georgetown, MN - Airport: Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: center; flight hours: 625 total, 230 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: FAR, 15 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 20050809024439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050809024439A), Aug 9, 2005: Scwzer G164, Georgetown, MN, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot [privacy data omitted] advised that he was spraying the field just west of the farmsite, across the red river. He was completing a west to east… 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.