# NTSB CHI08CA217: Grumman G-164A, N9892, Veedersburg, IN, July 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 28, 2008, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Veedersburg, IN - Coordinates: 40.123054, -87.267219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1231&lon=-87.2672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68857 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA217 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68857/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA217 ## Probable cause The oil filler cap not reinstalled by the pilot prior to the aerial application flight and the total loss of engine oil during an aerial application. Additional causes were the low altitude of the operation and the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had serviced the airplane prior to an aerial application flight of a field during which the airplane lost engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a northerly direction on a hard surface road near the field, which had corn along its left side and a pole along its right side. While the pilot was trying to avoid the pole along the right side of the road, the airplane impacted the corn and terrain with its left wing resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The left and right wings were buckled and bent from the impact. The pilot was uninjured. Examination of the airplane revealed that the oil filler cap was not installed resulting in a total loss of engine oil. The oil filler cap was found in the lower portion of the engine nacelle. ## Factual narrative The pilot had serviced the airplane prior to an aerial application flight of a field during which the airplane lost engine power. The pilot performed a forced landing in a northerly direction on a hard surface road near the field, which had corn along its left side and a pole along its right side. While the pilot was trying to avoid the pole along the right side of the road, the airplane impacted the corn and terrain with its left wing resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. The left and right wings were buckled and bent from the impact. The pilot was uninjured. Examination of the airplane revealed that the oil filler cap was not installed resulting in a total loss of engine oil. The oil filler cap was found in the lower portion of the engine nacelle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9892](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9892), registered now, S/N 1324, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1324 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Bi State Helicopters Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: CFJ, CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN - Destination: CFJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 7,816 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 219 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080728843599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080728843599A), Jul 28, 2008: Scwzer G164A, Veedersburg, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was being operated FAR part 137, aerial application, when the pilot experienced a fluctuation in the engine torque. The engine performance… ## Other investigations on N9892 (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 CEN23LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA317), Jul 22, 2023: Grumman G-164A (N9892), Patoka, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of two compressor turbine blades as a result of the engine operating near or above the engine’s operating limits for an undetermined amount of time… 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.