# NTSB FTW02LA239: Schweizer G-164B, N991QC, Simmesport, LA, August 20, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2002, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Simmesport, LA - Coordinates: 30.958889, -91.723609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9589&lon=-91.7236&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 April 1, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA239 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55538/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA239 ## Probable cause the contamination of the fuel system with water and a foreign material. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system - contamination (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he fueled the airplane from a main fuel tank located at the airstrip. While he fueled the airplane, the main fuel tank was being filled by the local distributor. After the airplane's fuel tanks were full of fuel, the pilot departed the airstrip. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost total power, and did not restart. The pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field. An FAA inspector reported that the fuel found in the airplane's fuel tanks was contaminated with "water and sludge." ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2002, approximately 1130 central daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B single-engine agricultural airplane, N991QC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to a corn field following a loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb from a private airstrip near Simmesport, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Golden Wings Air Inc., of Lettsworth, 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 local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that prior to takeoff, he fueled the airplane from a main fuel tank located at the airstrip. While he fueled the airplane, the main fuel tank was being filled by the local distributor. After the airplane's fuel tanks were full of fuel, the pilot departed the airstrip. During the initial takeoff climb, the engine lost total power, and did not restart. The pilot executed a forced landing to a corn field. Subsequently, the airplane came to rest inverted. According to an FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, both wings, and the vertical and horizontal stabilizers sustained substantial damage. The inspector reported that the fuel found in the airplane's fuel tanks was contaminated with "water and sludge." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N991QC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N991QC), registered now, S/N 739B, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 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: 739B - Airframe hours: 7311 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-15 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: GOLDEN WINGS AIR, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 12, 2002, 35 hours before - Departed: Simmesport, LA - Airport: None ## 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--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 5, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 1,370 total, 270 in this make and model, 1,333 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °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 20020820022449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020820022449A), Aug 20, 2002: Scwzer G164B, Lettsworth, LA, Substantial damage. (-23) Prior to take-off, pilot fueled aircraft from main tank while it was being serviced. Main tank was not being sumped on a regular basis and had… 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.