# NTSB CHI88DEV04: Grumman G164A, N8980H, Chenoa, IL, August 3, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1988, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Chenoa, IL
- Coordinates: 40.74044, -88.710624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7404&lon=-88.7106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEV04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEV04

## Probable cause

UNAVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ON WHICH TO ACCOMPLISH A FORCED LANDING.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE STARTED LOSING POWER AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE MOVEMENT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE ON SOFT TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL. NO MECHANICAL FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAM WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE POWER LOSS.

## 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
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8980H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8980H), registered now, S/N 1603 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1603
- Airframe hours: 4398
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN 650 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Harold E. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1988, 225 hours before
- Departed: PIX, CHENOA, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,745 total, 225 in this make and model, 5,387 as pilot in command, 305 in the last 90 days, 225 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MDW, 85 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 19880803031869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880803031869A), Aug 3, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Chenoa, IL, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Nosed over landing across rows of soybeans. Magneto timing set incorrectly.

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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