# NTSB CHI07CA220: Schweizer G-164B, N8490K, West Liberty, IA, July 20, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2007, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: West Liberty, IA
- Coordinates: 41.586112, -91.220275
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5861&lon=-91.2203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-Des Moines FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA220

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent encounter with birds immediately after takeoff and the resulting loss of engine power.  Contributing factors were the fence and ditch encountered during the overrun.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
- Loss of engine power, takeoff
  - engine assembly - failure (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff

## Analysis

The airplane was substantially damaged during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff.  The pilot reported that he was taking off on runway 36 (2,300 feet by 66 feet, turf) when he encountered birds about 50 feet above ground level.  He noted that the engine lost power and the aircraft settled to the ground.  He was unable to stop the airplane on the remaining runway.  During the runway overrun, the airplane subsequently struck a fence, encountered a ditch, and subsequently nosed over before coming to rest.  A post accident survey of the runway revealed bird feathers and remains near midfield on the runway centerline.

## Factual narrative

The airplane was substantially damaged during an emergency landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff.  The pilot reported that he was taking off on runway 36 (2,300 feet by 66 feet, turf) when he encountered birds about 50 feet above ground level.  He noted that the engine lost power and the aircraft settled to the ground.  He was unable to stop the airplane on the remaining runway.  During the runway overrun, the airplane subsequently struck a fence, encountered a ditch, and subsequently nosed over before coming to rest.  A post accident survey of the runway revealed bird feathers and remains near midfield on the runway centerline.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8490K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8490K-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 710B, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 710B
- Engines: Garrett TPE331 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: CAT Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 4IA2, West Liberty, IA
- Airport: 4IA2, Walker Field, runway 36, 2,300 × 66 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 350 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: MUT, 14 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 20070720013029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070720013029A), Jul 20, 2007: Scwzer G164B, West Liberty, IA, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft was airborne approximately 25-30 feet when engine lost power after birds flew by. Pilot could not keep aircraft airborne and landed straight…

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.

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