# NTSB DEN90LA146: Grumman G-164A, N6887Q, Edgeley, ND, June 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1990, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Edgeley, ND
- Coordinates: 46.359466, -98.709846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3595&lon=-98.7098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA146

## Probable cause

A MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION DURING INITIAL CLIMB FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - fence
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS ON TAKEOFF FROM A FIELD STRIP, FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A PARTIAL POWER LOSS, MOMENTARILY, DURING INITIAL CLIMB. THE PLANE STRUCK A CROSS FENCE, THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ENTERED STANDING VEGETATION, AND TRAVELED FOR 900 FEET. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE CAME BACK TO FULL POWER, BUT THE PLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB CLEAR OF THE VEGETATION. THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED POWER TO LAND, BUT THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. ALL FOUR WING SPARS WERE DAMAGED AND THE FUSELAGE WAS TWISTED. 200 GALLONS OF PENNCAP-M CHEMICAL MIXTURE POURED OVER THE PILOT, WHO WAS PINNED UNDER THE WRECKAGE. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED ENGINE POWER INTERRUPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6887Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1726
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Lonnie D. Hartwig
- Airport: runway 9, 2,740 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,368 total, 90 in this make and model, 3,236 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900628022859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900628022859A), Jun 28, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Edgeley, ND, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on takeoff. Settled into tall wheat and nosed over. Possible carb icing. Was using auto 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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