# NTSB FTW83LA107: Grumman G164A-450, N7843, Clyde, TX, January 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1983, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Clyde, TX
- Coordinates: 32.400051, -99.490661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4001&lon=-99.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA107

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWERLINE AND CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A ENGINE FAILURE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS PULLING OUT FROM A SWATH RUN WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OUT,BACKFIRED AND STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. THE PILOT DECIDED TO RETURN TO ELMDALE, ON THE WAY THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. DURING THE FORCED LANDING SUNGLARE IMPAIRED THE PILOT'S VISIONAND THE ACFT TAILWHEEL, SNAGGED A POWERLINE. THE ACFT CAME TO REST INVERTED AND AN ENGINE FIRE DEVELOPED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE ENGINE WAS STARTED AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED AND AT 1500 RPM WHEN CARBURETOR HEAT WAS APPLIED THE RPM INCREASED 100 RPM. WATER IN THE FUEL COULD NOT BE CONFIRMED BECAUSE THE ACFT HAD BEEN INVERTED. THE REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7843](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7843-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 790, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164A-450
- 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: 790
- Airframe hours: 1714
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: J. E. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Limited (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 24, 1982, 7 hours before
- Departed: 6F4, ELMDALE AIRPARK, TX
- Destination: 6F4, ELMDALE AIRPARK, TX
- Airport: 6F4, Elmdale

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,197 total, 8 in this make and model, 5,197 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °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 19830108004279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830108004279A), Jan 8, 1983: Scwzer G164A, Clyde, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with powerline during emergency landing after engine failure.

## Other investigations on N7843 (4)

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 CEN13LA533](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA533), Sep 6, 2013: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Atlantic, IA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s delay in releasing product to reduce the airplane’s weight and improve its climb performance, which was reduced because of the high density altitude.
- [NTSB FTW82DA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA177), May 13, 1982: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Elreno, OK, destroyed
- [NTSB MKC73FER12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FER12), Aug 17, 1972: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Hollandale, MN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA72FKQ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FKQ09), Aug 12, 1971: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Swan Lake, MS, 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.

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