# NTSB DEN08CA091: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N5083, East Bernard, TX, May 20, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2008, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: East Bernard, TX
- Coordinates: 29.541666, -96.152778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5417&lon=-96.1528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68061
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68061/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA091

## Probable cause

Two engine cylinder exhaust valves stuck open for an undetermined reason, resulting in a loss of engine power.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The commercial pilot departed on an aerial application flight after refueling and being loaded with a full load of fertilizer. Outside air temperature was 103 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot was flying his first application pass shortly after takeoff when the engine stopped developing full power due to low compression on two cylinders from malfunctioning exhaust valves. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and the airplane impacted the ground, bending the left wing spar down and aft.

## Factual narrative

The commercial pilot departed a private airstrip on an aerial application flight after refueling and being loaded with a full load of fertilizer. The pilot was flying his first application pass shortly after takeoff when he said the engine stopped developing power and the airplane started descending. The airplane hit a levy, impacted in a field and came to rest against a second levy. Temperature at the time of the accident was reported by the pilot as 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Examination of the airplane showed the left wing spar was bent down and aft. A compression check of the engine performed by FAA personnel revealed the number three cylinder producing 24 pounds of compression, the number nine cylinder producing 50 pounds of compression, and the remaining seven cylinders producing 68 pounds of compression. The number three exhaust valve was found stuck open. The engine was not disassembled to determine the cause of the sticking exhaust valve. The engine had accumulated 943 hours since the last overhaul and 129 hours since its last annual inspection on March 3, 2008.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5083](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5083), registered now, S/N 1115, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
- 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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1115
- Airframe hours: 9489
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hicks, Lowell R, doing business as Double L Flying Services
- Registered owner: Hicks, Lowell R
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2007
- Departed: East Bernard, TX
- Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway UNK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review May 1, 2007; flight hours: 16,500 total, 5,600 in this make and model, 129 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: 102 °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 20080520834789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080520834789A), May 20, 2008: Scwzer G164A, East Bernard, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) During an interview, the pilot stated the aircraft had just been filled with pellet fertilizer. The aircraft fuel tanks were approximately half full. He…

## Other investigations on N5083 (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 CHI81FEM30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEM30), Jul 23, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N5083), Howard City, MI, 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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