# NTSB FTW02LA194: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8917H, Basile, LA, July 1, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 2002, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Basile, LA - Coordinates: 30.548334, -92.4775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5483&lon=-92.4775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55096 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55096/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55096 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA194 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power as a result of fuel starvation. 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, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - wet - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot had just completed his fourth spray load of the morning and was returning for the next load when the engine began running rough and started to backfire. He checked the magnetos, propeller, and throttle lever, and found everything to be "normal." The engine continued to backfire, and not being able to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to make a forced landing in a rice field. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. An examination by a certified mechanic revealed no anomalies which would have prevented normal engine operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 2002, approximately 0750 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A agricultural airplane, N8917H, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering near Basile, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to B & S Flyers Inc. of Gueydan, Louisiana, and operated by Kib Aviation of Basile, Louisiana, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed from a private airstrip near Basile, at 0730. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he had just completed his fourth spray load of the morning and was returning for the next load when the engine began running rough and started to backfire. The pilot stated "I checked the mags, propeller, and throttle lever, and found everything to be normal, but the engine continued to backfire." Not being able to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to make a forced landing in a rice field. After touchdown, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported damage to the airplane included the vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder were destroyed, both propeller blades were bent, and the empennage was twisted and bent. During an engine examination by a certified mechanic, no mechanical failures or malfunctions were noted that would have prevented normal engine operation. The reason for the partial loss of engine power was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8917H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8917H-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 1614, built 1976 (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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1614 - Airframe hours: 8875 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kib Aviation - Registered owner: B&S Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2002 - Departed: Basile, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 19, 2000; seat: single; flight hours: 1,230 total, 882 in this make and model, 1,207 as pilot in command, 254 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 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 20020701016449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020701016449A), Jul 1, 2002: Scwzer G164A, Eunice, LA, No damage. (-23) The pilot received information from the ground crew that they could see an unusual amount of leakage coming from the belly of the aircraft. At this time… ## Other investigations on N8917H (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 FTW76FRJ39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRJ39), Aug 9, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N8917H), Delhi, LA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 10, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55096. 377 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40460260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.