# NTSB CHI88DEM03: Grumman G-164A, N84PG, Allegan, MI, April 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1988, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Allegan, MI
- Coordinates: 42.520038, -85.839752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5200&lon=-85.8398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED TWO SWATH RUNS AND WAS TURNING TO START THE THIRD WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO BUFFET AND APPROACHED A STALL.  THE PILOT THEN LOWERED THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT AND ADDED FULL THROTTLE.  AFTER APPLYING FULL THROTTLE THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT HEAR THE ENGINE RESPOND.  AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE GROUND THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED BACK PRESSURE '....SEVERAL TIMES WITH NEAR STALL CONTROL FEELINGS', BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED IT'S UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND SUBSEQUENTLY CLIPPED SOME TREES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND. ALTHOUGH A WITNESS STATED HEARING THE ENGINE BACKFIRE SHORTLY BEFORE IMPACT, DURING THE INVESTIGATION NOTHING WAS FOUND MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE ENGINE.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT DO CORRELATE WITH THE RANGE OF CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE, AND THE ENGINE, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AND WITNESS STATEMENTS, DID EXHIBIT SOME INDICATIONS THAT CARBURETOR ICE MAY HAVE FORMED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N84PG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1536
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farmers Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1988, 24 hours before
- Departed: 35D, ALLEGAN, MI
- Destination: 35D

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 961 total, 40 in this make and model, 885 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 24 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 19880404007439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880404007439A), Apr 4, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Allegan, MI, Substantial damage. Engaged in aerial fertilizer spraying. Unable to develop power on pull up. Hit trees. Suspect carburetor ice.

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.