# NTSB CHI89DEX06: Grumman G-164A, N952X, Sullivan, IN, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Sullivan, IN
- Coordinates: 39.089355, -87.400192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0894&lon=-87.4002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEX06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEX06

## Probable cause

A FAILURE OF THE SUPERCHARGER OIL SEAL WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF AND THE UNCONTROLLED TOUCHDOWN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE SUPERCHARGER AND SPARK PLUB FOWLING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil seal - leak (cause)
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - touchdown - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE FELT 'MUSHY' DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB. THE NOSE WAS LOWERED AND FULL THROTTLE APPLIED. THE PILOT THEN ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF DURING WHICH CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED A LEAKING OIL SEAL ON THE TURBOCHARGER WHICH RESULTED IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SPARK PLUGS BECOMING OIL SOAKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N952X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N952X-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 466, built 1967 (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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 466
- Airframe hours: 4887
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A Huddleston
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1988, 82 hours before
- Airport: S1V, Sullivan, runway 36, 3,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 388 total, 4 in this make and model, 222 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890802026749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802026749A), Aug 2, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Sullivan, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff for practice spraying . Nosed over landing. Blower impeller shaft leaked oil on spark plugs.

## Other investigations on N952X (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 CHI83LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA270), Jun 20, 1983: Grumman G-164A (N952X), Paris, IL, substantial damage

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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