# NTSB ERA19LA267: Grumman G164, N8386K, Berlin, MD, September 8, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 8, 2019, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, MD
- Coordinates: 38.330001, -75.216941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3300&lon=-75.2169&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 100212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA267
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100212/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100212
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA267

## Probable cause

The malfunction of the No. 9 pushrod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

## 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 · Malfunction (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)

## 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 was departing on the first flight of the day to conduct aerial seeding. After takeoff, he noticed that the engine began to vibrate, but the rpm seemed normal. He made a right turn and the engine started to lose power and then "quit." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the airplane nosed over, and a post-crash fire ensued. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 9 pushrod was stuck in the open position and the gland seal was brittle. Review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the No. 9 pushrod was removed, and the gland seal was replaced on the day of the accident before the accident flight. It is likely that since the No. 9 valve was stuck in the open position, it caused the cylinder to lose compression and power in flight.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 2019, at 1525 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8386K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Berlin, Maryland. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he was departing on the first flight of the day to conduct aerial seeding with 2,000 lbs. of wheat seeds. After liftoff, he noticed that the engine began to vibrate, but the rpm seemed normal. The pilot made a right turn and the engine started to lose power and then "quit." The pilot stated that he was "too low to attempt a restart," and he performed a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the airplane nosed over, and a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot exited the airplane and contacted the local authorities. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane's fuselage and both the upper and lower wings were buckled. Examination of the cockpit, firewall and the engine accessories revealed they were fire damaged. An examination of the engine revealed the No. 9 pushrod was stuck in the open position and the gland seal was brittle. Borescope examination of the cylinders did not show any signs of scoring or internal damage. Valvetrain continuity was observed on the master rod, pistons, pushrods, and rockers while turning through 360°. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the No. 9 pushrod gland seal was replaced on the day of the accident before the accident flight. A test run was performed on the engine, and the airplane was returned to service.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8386K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8386K), registered now, S/N 678B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G164 (B)
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 678B
- Airframe hours: 3531
- Engines: Pratt&Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 2019, 40 hours before
- Departed: 4MD1, Berlin, MD
- Destination: 4MD1, Berlin, MD
- Airport: 4MD1, Bunting's Field
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 20,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observed at: OXB, 6 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 20190908012729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190908012729A), Sep 8, 2019: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Berlin, MD, Destroyed. Pilot was flying an aerial application flight, spreading seeds. Engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing in an unpicked corn field. The aircraft…

## Other investigations on N8386K (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 SEA05CA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05CA157), Aug 3, 2005: Grumman G-164B (N8386K), Paul, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot to maintain direction control during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing factors included the weeds and the wet, soft terrain..
- [NTSB MIA91LA122](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA122), Apr 15, 1991: Grumman G-164B (N8386K), Clewiston, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: DISINTEGRATION OF THE IMPELLER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER NECESSITATING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 24, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100212. 4.3 MB in all.

- Pilot's statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 955 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9600816&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20LA267_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum of record FAA telephone correspondence (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9601101&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20FAA%20telephone%20correspondence%20LA267-Rel.pdf
- Airframe and engine examination (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13459057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20N8386K-Rel.pdf
- Mx excerpts logbooks (item 4, PDF, 12 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9601034&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20logbook%20excerpts_Redacted%201-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 465 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9600700&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA267-Rel.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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