# NTSB DFW05LA116: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N63E, Fenton, LA, May 1, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2005, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Fenton, LA - Coordinates: 30.285554, -92.941108 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2856&lon=-92.9411&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 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61413 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61413/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05LA116 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of blockage of the firewall fuel filter with an unknown contaminant. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - fuel system,filter - blocked(partial) (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation/exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The 2,800-hour pilot was performing an aerial application on a rice field when the airplane's turbine engine lost power. The airplane landed short of a road, struck a drainage canal, bounced and came to rest in a rice field. Examination of the engine revealed that the firewall fuel filter was blocked by an unknown foreign contaminant. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 2005, approximately 0730 central daylight time, a tail-wheel equipped Grumman-Schweizer G-164B agricultural turbine powered single-engine airplane, N63E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power during an aerial application flight near Fenton, Louisiana. The airplane was registered to and operated by Kinder Ag Service, Inc., of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Kinder, Louisiana, at an unknown time. In a written statement to the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the 2,800-hour pilot reported that he had just finished a turn to reverse direction and was in the process of positioning the airplane for the next pass when "the engine lost power." The pilot added that he attempted to land on an adjacent field road; however, the airplane landed short of the road, struck a drainage canal, bounced, and came to rest in an upright position in a rice field. There was no fire. The pilot added that as the airplane came to a stop, the engine was still running. After shutting the engine down, the pilot evacuated the airplane. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the left and right main landing gear were folded outboard, and the main support beam for the landing gear was cracked. Fuel was observed in the left wing fuel tank. Examination of the Walter M601 turbine engine by a representative from Walter America Inc., of West Helena, Arkansas, revealed that the firewall fuel filter was blocked by an unknown foreign contaminant. Remaining fuel drained from the fuel control unit and the engine fuel pump was found to be consistent with diesel fuel. A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received from the pilot or the operator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63E), registered now, S/N 305B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Walter M601 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/walter-m601-series) (registry code 64002, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 305B - Engines: Walter M601E-11 777 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Kinder Ag Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Kinder, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: center; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: LCH ## 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 20050501008259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050501008259A), May 1, 2005: Scwzer G164B, Fenton, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) During low pass over a field the engine lost power and spooled down to idle. Pilot attempted to land in a rice field and struck a small levee. ## Other investigations on N63E (2) 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 CEN10CA510](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA510), Aug 27, 2010: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B (N63E), Basile, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of directional control during landing due to failure of the right brake for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB FTW98LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA194), Apr 25, 1998: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N63E), Oberlin, LA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the gusty wind. 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.