# NTSB FTW02LA107: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N8498K, Ferriday, LA, March 28, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 2002, 09:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Ferriday, LA - Coordinates: 31.627777, -91.66278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6278&lon=-91.6628&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54423 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54423/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54423 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA107 ## Probable cause the failure of the number three cylinder exhaust rocker arm, resulting in a total loss of engine power. 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(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after completing a spray run and turning back to the field, "the engine started popping and eventually went dead." The pilot landed in the open cotton field he was spraying, impacted soft terrain, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the engine revealed that the #3 cylinder exhaust rocker arm had broken approximately two-thirds of the way around the assembly. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 2002, approximately 0935 central standard time, a Grumman-Schweizwer G-164B agricultural airplane, N8498K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Ferriday, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by W&E Air Service, Ferriday, Louisiana, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the W&E Air Service private airstrip at 0920. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that this was his third load of the day. While turning back to the field after completing a spray run, the engine started "popping." After several more "pops," the engine "went dead." The pilot landed straight ahead in the open cotton field he was spraying, impacting soft terrain. After impact, the left landing gear separated, and the airplane continued for approximately 20 yards before flipping over, coming to rest inverted. An A&P mechanic, who examined the aircraft, reported that the #3 cylinder exhaust rocker arm had failed. The front and rear spars of the right upper wing panel, and the front spar of the left lower wing panel sustained structural damage. All four wing panels sustained leading edge and skin damage. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and right elevator were destroyed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8498K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8498K-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N 715B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 715B - Airframe hours: 4172 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: W&E Air Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2001, 200 hours before - Departed: N/A, W&E Flying Ser., LA - Airport: W&E Air Service Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 12, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 7,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: HEZ, 16 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 20020328007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020328007109A), Mar 28, 2002: Scwzer G164B, Ferriday, LA, No damage. (-23) Pilot heard engine backfire and stop running, the pilot then meneuvered the aircraft to a field to land. The aircraft touched down with right main gear… ## Other investigations on N8498K (1) 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 FTW96LA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA388), Sep 17, 1996: Schweizer G-164B (N8498K), Ferriday, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The partial loss of engine power due to a cracked cylinder head. Factors were the oil leak which restricted the pilot's visual lookout and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54423. 311 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Mechanic's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40395529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Mechanic%27s%20Statement-Redacted.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.