# NTSB FTW83LA213: Grumman G-164A, N8863H, Weslaco, TX, April 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1983, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Weslaco, TX
- Coordinates: 26.160419, -97.979736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1604&lon=-97.9797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA213

## 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, landing
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate
  - stall/mush
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AS HE WAS LINING UP FOR HIS 3RD PASS, HE NOTICED A DROP IN MANIFOLD PRESSURE & LOSS OF POWER. THERE WAS NO RESPONSE TO THROTTLE MOVEMENTS. AFTER 2 ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENG, HE DUMPED HIS LOAD IN AN EFFORT TO COMPLETE A TURN TO A CLEAR AREA. A SET OF TV CABLES & A PAVED ROAD WERE ADJACENT TO THE FIELD IN WHICH THE PLT INTENDED TO LAND. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR THE CABLES, THE ACFT STALLED INTO THE WIRES. AFTER HITTING THE WIRES, THE ACFT SPUN AROUND APRX 180 DEG, IMPACTED TAIL 1ST ON THE ROAD & BEGAN BURNING ABOUT 10 TO 15 SEC LATER. THE OPERATOR & A MECHANIC SUSPECTED A POSSIBLE SUPERCHARGER FAILURE. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE, THE REASON FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8863H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1551
- Airframe hours: 3839
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Weslaco Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1983, 16 hours before
- Departed: T65, WESLACO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,189 total, 1,448 in this make and model, 2,110 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830430016699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830430016699A), Apr 30, 1983: Scwzer G164A, Weslaco, TX, Destroyed. Engine quit during a spray run. Struck wires,crashed and burned on forced landing. Most likely cause turbo failure.

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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