# NTSB ERA13LA029: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N6670K, Edison, GA, October 19, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 2012, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Edison, GA
- Coordinates: 31.575277, -84.575279 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5753&lon=-84.5753&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 85369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85369/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85369
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13LA029

## Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the k-pin associated with the No. 1 cylinder.

## 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 Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he had completed an aerial application run in the airplane and began a left turn to return for another aerial application run. However, shortly after he began the maneuver, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field, during which the airplane nosed over. Examination of the radial engine revealed that the No. 1 cylinder k-pin had failed, resulting in significant internal engine damage and the loss of power. Further examination of the failed k-pin revealed that it had fractured near its center oil journal, and the k-pin fracture marks exhibited damage consistent with fatigue.

## Factual narrative

On October 19, 2012, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6670K, was substantially damaged after it nosed over during an off airport landing in a corn field near Edison, Georgia. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and tail. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local aerial application flight. The flight originated from the pilot's private airstrip. According to the pilot, he made one application pass across a cotton field, pitched up, and planned on turning 180 degrees to begin a second application pass. The engine lost total power and he attempted to maximize the airplane’s energy in order to complete a forced landing in a nearby peanut field. Subsequently, the pilot realized that the only option was to land in the nearby cornfield. During the landing roll out the airplane nosed over and the defoliant saturated the cockpit. He further reported that the power loss was similar to losing one of the cylinders. According to the airplane maintenance records, the engine was overhauled on May 29, 2012, and was operated for 307 total hours since the overhaul. The engine's total time in service was 11,466.8 hours. Initial examination of the accident site by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane nosed over after landing in a cornfield and the terrain was sandy in nature. He further reported that ground tracks were visible from the initial touchdown point to the wreckage and measured 425 feet in length. The engine was examined at a facility in Oklahoma. Initial examination revealed that Cylinder No. 7 was loose from the power case studs. The governor drive gear was unable to be rotated. The No. 8 cylinder linkpin strap and approximately 2 inches of the rod beam were present. The No. 1 cylinder linkrod was observed not connected to the K-Pin through the No. 8 cylinder mounting flange hole. The front approximate one-half of the K-Pin was absent from the masterod assembly, the rear half of the K-Pin and its safety were found in place and the front half of the K-Pin was found inside the power case after the top case half was removed; however, all surfaces exhibited extensive damage. The K-Pin was fractured through the center of the mid-journal oil-holes. Examination further revealed that the cylinder assemblies extended into the power case area and had been flared out. Cylinder Nos. 1, 8, and 9 were removed using various methods. The piston associated with the No. 1 cylinder was found approximately two-thirds of the length of the stroke up the bore of the cylinder and the No 1 piston surfaces facing the crankshaft had minimal damage when compared to all other pistons. The remaining portion of the No. 1 cylinder K-Pin was removed and the hole size was checked. Thefront flange was measured at 0.001 inches out-of-round. In a review of the pin size and the illustrated parts manual the pin did not exhibit any indication that it was anything other than the original pin. There was no evidence throughout the engine of oil starvation on any of the components.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6670K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6670K), registered now, S/N 413B, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 413B
- Airframe hours: 7379
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Owen Flying Service Inc
- Registered owner: Owen Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2012
- Departed: Edison, GA
- Destination: Edison, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 3, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 7,525 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 310 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 24 nm away

## 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 20121019023649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121019023649A), Oct 19, 2012: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Edison, GA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on 4th load of the day with 3 chemicals; 1. Folex, 2. Finish pro, 3. Takedown. On second pass turning and manuever into position the engine began…

## Other investigations on N6670K (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 ATL81DLA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81DLA15), Sep 26, 1981: Grumman G-164B (N6670K), Pelham, GA, substantial damage

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85369. 9.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot Phone Interview (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379887&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot%20Phone%20Interview-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement to the FAA (item 3, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20to%20the%20FAA-Redacted.PDF
- Radial Engine Inspection Report - Courtesy of Covington Aircraft Engines, Inc. (item 4, .PDF, 467 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Radial%20Engine%20Inspection%20Report%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20Covington%20Aircraft%20Engines,%20Inc.-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Albany GA Weather (item 5, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Albany%20GA%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1: Tire Tracks Along Accident Path (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Tire%20Tracks%20Along%20Accident%20Path%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2: Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF

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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