# NTSB CHI93LA282: Grumman G164, N8368, Brule, NE, July 29, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1993, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Brule, NE - Coordinates: 41.090179, -101.880767 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0902&lon=-101.8808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9253/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA282 ## Probable cause THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT INCLUDE TOTAL FAILURE OF AN ENGINE CYLINDER, AND A HIDDEN OBSTRUCTION. ## 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, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING THE FIRST PASS OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE STARTED TO BACKFIRE AND LOSE POWER. THE COMMERCIAL PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD ADJACENT TO THE CORN FIELD HE WAS SPRAYING. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET TO THE END OF THE OPEN FIELD AS THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO TURN THE AIRPLANE BEFORE CROSSING A DIRT ROAD AND ENTERING A CORN FIELD. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING HIT A POST HIDDEN BY TALL WEEDS AND GRASS AT THE END OF THE OPEN FIELD, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND ONE CYLINDER CRACKED FROM SPARKPLUG HOLE TO SPARKPLUG HOLE, WITH THE TOP OF THE CYLINDER SEPARATING COMPLETELY. NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCITON WITH THE AIRFRAME OR ACCESSORIES WAS FOUND. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1993 about 0730 central daylight time, a Grumman AG-CAT; N8368, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft struck a hidden wooden post during roll-out of a forced landing. The pilot was uninjured during the aerial application flight operating under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the flight. No flight plan was filed for the flight originating from Blue Springs, Nebraska. According to the pilot, during the first pass of an aerial application flight, the aircraft's engine "started to backfire and lose power." The pilot elected to make a forced landing in an open field adjacent to the corn field he was spraying. The airplane rolled approximately 300 feet to the end of the open field as the pilot attempted to turn the aircraft to avoid crossing a dirt road and going into a corn field. The aircraft's bottom right wing hit a post hidden by tall weeds and grass at the end of the open field, substantially damaging the aircraft. Post-accident investigation found one engine cylinder cracked from sparkplug hole to sparkplug hole, with the top of the cylinder separating completely. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction with the airframe or accessories was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: N8368 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 863 - Airframe hours: 5620 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mc Clung, Harold - Registered owner: Mc Clung, Harold - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1993, 98 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SNY, 400 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 19930729026489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930729026489A), Jul 29, 1993: Scwzer G164, Brule, NE, Substantial damage. Lost power on first spray run. Wing struck post hidden by weeds, landing. One cylinder top missing. Fatigue cracks. 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.