# NTSB FTW01LA209: Grumman G-164A, N73PB, Eagle Lake, TX, September 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 19, 2001, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Eagle Lake, TX - Coordinates: 29.580121, -96.319534 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5801&lon=-96.3195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53498/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA209 ## Probable cause the partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in flight collision with trees and terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During the second turn around maneuver of the aerial application flight, the engine lost partial power. The pilot dumped the 250 gallon fertilizer load; however, the airplane descended, struck trees, and impacted the ground. The reason for the power loss was not determined. ## Factual narrative On September 19, 2001, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, agricultural airplane, N73PB, struck trees during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power near Eagle Lake, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Hicks Double L Flying Service of Wallis, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The airplane was destroyed, and the commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from Eagle Lake, at 0845. The pilot and operator reported that the airplane was applying fertilizer onto a peanut field. During the second turn around maneuver, the engine "coughed and lost some power." The pilot dumped 250 gallons of fertilizer; however, the airplane descended, struck trees, and impacted the ground. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, found the airplane inverted in trees and brush. The wing spars were bent. Structural damage was found throughout the airplane. The reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73PB-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 1118 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1118 - Airframe hours: 6492 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lowell R. Hicks - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: ELA, Eagle Lake, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 22, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 1,506 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,445 as pilot in command, 500 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 1 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °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 20010919028669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010919028669A), Sep 19, 2001: Scwzer G164A, Eagle Lake, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 19, 2001, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, agricultural aircraft, N73PB, struck trees during a forced landing… ## Other investigations on N73PB (3) 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 CHI08CA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA242), Aug 8, 2008: Schweizer G-164A (N73PB), Jefferson, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. The corn crop was a factor. - [NTSB FTW99LA157](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA157), Jun 2, 1999: Grumman G-164A (N73PB), Monaville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to touch down on the dry area of the landing strip. A factor was the soft terrain condition on the sides of the grass strip. - [NTSB LAX77FUJ44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUJ44), Apr 21, 1977: Grumman G-164A (N73PB), Queen Creek, AZ, 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.