# NTSB FTW00LA097: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N9785, Gillett, AR, March 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 13, 2000, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Gillett, AR - Coordinates: 34.109642, -91.369895 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1096&lon=-91.3699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48791/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA097 ## Probable cause The cracked #8 cylinder resulting in failure of the cylinder. A factor was the plowed/furrowed terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - failure - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed (contributing factor) ## Analysis En route from the airstrip to the field to apply fertilizer, the agricultural airplane's engine started to 'miss and lose power.' The pilot executed a forced landing. During the landing roll in a tilled field, the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. The #8 cylinder was found cracked. The cylinder had accumulated 337 hours since its last overhaul. ## Factual narrative On March 13, 2000, at 1700 central standard time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A agricultural airplane, N9785, nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Gillett, Arkansas. The airplane was owned and operated by Trites Flying Service, Inc., of Gillett, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 flight originated from the operator's private airstrip a few minutes before the accident. The pilot and operator reported that en route from the airstrip to the field to apply fertilizer, the engine started to "miss and lose power." The pilot landed the airplane in a tilled field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over to the inverted position. The FAA inspector, who responded to the site, found structural damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. The main spar for the upper left wing was damaged outboard of the strut. The FAA inspector and the operator found the #8 cylinder cracked. The cylinder had accumulated 337 hours since overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9785-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N 1263, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1263 - Airframe hours: 10517 - Engines: P&W R-1340-59 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: John W. Trites - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1999, 337 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20000313004829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000313004829A), Mar 13, 2000: Scwzer G164A, Gillett, AR, No damage. (-23)The engine number 4 cylinder exhaust rocker box is cracked. The pilot stated that the engine started smoking and lost power. An emergency landing was made… ## Other investigations on N9785 (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 FTW91DPG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPG06), May 14, 1991: Grumman G-164A (N9785), Gillett, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE WINDSHILED BECOMING OBSCURED BY AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY AND THE RESULTANT LIMITED VISION FROM THE COCKPIT. - [NTSB MKC84LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA213), Jul 12, 1984: Grumman G-164A (N9785), Gillette, AR, 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.