# NTSB CHI85LA027: Grumman G-164A, N5299, Tecunseh, MI, October 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1984, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Tecunseh, MI
- Coordinates: 41.890399, -84.039588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8904&lon=-84.0396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA027

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PLT NOTED A CHANGE IN ENGINE SOUND AND A SLIGHT POWER LOSS. DURING TURN TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP FOR PRECAUTIONARY LNDG, COMPLETE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. A FORCED LANDING WAS EXECUTED IN SOFT TERRAIN. ON LNDG ROLL, THE WHEELS SANK IN THE SOFT TERRAIN AND THE ACFT FLIPPED INVERTED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE #5 CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE ROCKER SHAFT AND BOTH RETAINING NUTS (SAFETY WIRE REQUIRED) WERE MISSING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - inoperative (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5299 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 586
- Airframe hours: 5862
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Thomas J. Nelson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1983, 78 hours before
- Departed: 3TE, TECUMSEH, MI
- Airport: 3TE, Al Meyers

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 730 total, 93 in this make and model, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 31 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 19841024058609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841024058609A), Oct 24, 1984: Scwzer G164A, Tecumseh, MI, Substantial damage. Engine lost power en route. Nosed over after landing in soft field. Found exhaust valve rocker shaft missing.

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.