# NTSB ERA25LA004: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, N8957H, Parsonsburg, MD, October 7, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 7, 2024, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Parsonsburg, MD · Wooded area bordering a cultivated field - Coordinates: 38.365798, -75.458423 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3658&lon=-75.4584&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA25LA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195269/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195269 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA004 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that were not determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng supercharger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058560): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058560/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058560/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-164A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis While conducting agricultural aerial seed application, the airplane’s engine began to produce white smoke and lost power. The pilot chose a field to land in and the engine subsequently lost power completely. While attempting to clear a tree line, the pilot exceeded the airplane’s critical angle of attack, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. The airplane impacted the field at the edge of the trees and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and right horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination of the airplane’s vintage radial engine revealed that there was oil inside the intake system and that the supercharger was seized and could not be rotated. The reason for the seizure of the supercharger was not determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8957H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8957H), registered now, S/N 1592 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1592 - Airframe hours: 9125 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2024 - Departed: pvt, MD - Airport: SBY, Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Rgnl - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 8, 2024; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,350 total, 2,200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: SBY, 3 nm away - METAR: KSBY 071654Z 30008KT 10SM SCT029 24/17 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP107 T02390167 ## 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 20241007015429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241007015429A), Oct 7, 2024: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Parsonsburg, MD, Substantial damage. After spreading dry seed on field, during the climb out, engine started to misfire and lose power. The pilot leveled the aircraft on a west/southwest heading.… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195269. 6.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19111584&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Inspectors statement engine exam (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19103657&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Exam%20Report%20FAA_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18962590&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� pilot statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18927711&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Pilot%20Statement-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. --- 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.