# NTSB DEN87DTE03: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8953H, Springfield, CO, August 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1987, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, CO
- Coordinates: 38.080204, -102.610389 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0802&lon=-102.6104&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 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87DTE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87DTE03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THE ENG LOST PWR DRG AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT & THE ACFT NOSED OVER DRG A FORCED LNDG IN A SOFT, WET, TERRACED FLD. THERE HAD BEEN HVY RAIN ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD BEEN REFUELED FROM A FUEL TANK MOUNTED ON A PICKUP TRUCK. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8953H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8953H), registered now, S/N 1590, built 1975 (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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1590
- Airframe hours: 915
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: W.L. Mcpherson, doing business as Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: W. L. Mcpherson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 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 19870804045099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870804045099A), Aug 4, 1987: Scwzer G164A, Springfield, CO, Substantial damage. The engine failed during the agricultural spray flight. Aircraft nosed over on landing. Water found in the fuel.

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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