# NTSB FTW85LA235: Grumman G-164A-450, N8614H, Basile, LA, May 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1985, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Basile, LA
- Coordinates: 30.480342, -92.59999 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4803&lon=-92.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA235

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, standing - engine(s) not operating
  - fuel system,line - burst (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak
  - maintenance,replacement - improper, production/design personnel (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DETECTED A FUEL LEAK AFTER TAKEOFF AND RETURNED TO LAND. HE SHUT THE ACFT ENG DOWN AND EXITED THE ACFT, BUT THE ACFT BUSRT INTO FLAMES BEFORE THE PROP STOPPED TURING. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION DISCOVERED A MATERIAL FAILURE IN A FUEL LINE ON THE ENG WHICH RESULTED IN A FUEL LEAK. THE FUEL LINE WAS REPORTEDLY REPLACED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION APRX 2 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8614H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8614H-2002-01-17), registration cancelled 2002-01-17, S/N 1435, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A-450
- 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: 1435
- Airframe hours: 5046
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Basile Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 1985
- Airport: Basile Flying Serv

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,560 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 7,560 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LCH, 32 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 19850506022649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850506022649A), May 6, 1985: Scwzer G164A, Basile, LA, Destroyed. Felt fuel spray after takeoff. Landed, before propeller stopped aircraft burst into flames. Fuel line leak.

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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