# NTSB DFW08LA178: Grumman G-164, N520Y, Stotesbury, MO, July 3, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2008, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Stotesbury, MO - Coordinates: 38.090278, -94.583885 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0903&lon=-94.5839&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68397/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA178 ## Probable cause Fracture of the engine's number eight cylinder barrel resulting in a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. ## 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 · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3952702), [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 · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=3952702), [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. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis About one hour after takeoff the agricultural airplane's engine lost partial power. Unable to maintain level flight, the pilot elected to land in a corn field. During landing the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in a postcrash fire. An examination of the engine revealed that the partial loss of engine power was due to a fracture in the number eight cylinder barrel, below the spark plug holes. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2008, about 1300 central daylight time, a single-engine Grumman G-164 agricultural airplane, N520Y, was destroyed during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Stotesbury, Missouri. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. According to the pilot, about one hour after takeoff the engine lost partial power. Unable to maintain level flight, the pilot elected to land in a corn field. During landing the main landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and the pilot was able to exit the airplane unassisted. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in a post crash fire. The operator later reported that the partial loss of engine power was due to a fracture in the number eight cylinder barrel below the spark plug holes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N520Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N520Y-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 157, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 157 - Airframe hours: 5600 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Dennis M Grainger - Registered owner: Dennis M Grainger - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 2008 - Departed: NVD, Nevada, MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 11,732 total, 400 in this make and model, 11,630 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20080703840109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080703840109A), Jul 3, 2008: Scwzer G164, Nevada, MO, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft N520Y was applying pesticides. Engine failed, pilot executed an emergency landing in a corn field. Ac caught fire after landing and was… ## Other investigations on N520Y (3) 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 DEN73DTE37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DTE37), Oct 10, 1972: Grumman G-164 (N520Y), Joes, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW70F0063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0063), Jun 23, 1969: Grumman G-164 (N520Y), Kaplan, LA, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW66D0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66D0024), May 6, 1965: Grumman G-164 (N520Y), Esterwood, LA, 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. --- 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.