# NTSB FTW00LA239: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6506K, Kaplan, LA, August 21, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 2000, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Kaplan, LA
- Coordinates: 29.999389, -92.28009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9994&lon=-92.2801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA239

## Probable cause

the failure of the supercharger during takeoff.  A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure (cause)
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the takeoff climb with full throttle, the agricultural airplane 'felt heavy and the airplane would not climb.'  As the pilot turned the airplane to return to the airport, the airplane 'started to settle and he heard a squealing noise from the engine.'  The pilot attempted to dump the load; however, the airplane touched down in a field, impacted a ditch, and nosed over coming to rest inverted.  The operator determined that the engine supercharger had failed.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 2000, at 1400 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane, N6506K, was substantially damaged when it impacted a ditch during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Kaplan, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Vincent Flying Service of Kaplan, Louisiana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.  The airplane was departing the Hanks Airport, Kaplan, Louisiana, for a local flight at the time of the accident.

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the pilot reported that during the takeoff climb with full throttle, "the airplane felt heavy and the airplane would not climb."  As the pilot turned the airplane to return to the airport, the airplane "started to settle and he heard a squealing noise from the engine."  The pilot attempted to dump the load; however, the airplane touched down in a field, impacted a ditch, and nosed over coming to rest inverted.

The FAA inspector stated that the airplane sustained structural damage to the empennage.  According to the FAA inspector, the operator determined that the engine supercharger had failed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6506K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6506K-2004-04-28), registration cancelled 2004-04-28, S/N 344B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman-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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 344B
- Engines: P&W 1340 1000 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Vincent Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: LA19
- Airport: LA19, Vincent Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20000821014079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000821014079A), Aug 21, 2000: Scwzer G164B, Kaplan, LA, No damage. (-23) Pilot stated that on take-off from vincent flying service airfield with 200 gallons of liquid to be sprayed on rice field, the a/c felt heavy with full…

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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