# NTSB FTW88DRD19: Schweizer G-164B, N6685Q, Catahoula, LA, August 20, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1988, 19:00 local (Aug 20, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Catahoula, LA
- Coordinates: 30.120859, -91.829627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1209&lon=-91.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD19
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD19

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE AG AIRPLANE WAS BEING UTILIZED TO SCARE BIRDS AWAY FROM THE RICE FIELDS. IT WAS 15 FEET AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND QUIT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND BURNED. THE ENGINE AND ENGINE ACCESSORIES WERE SO DESTROYED BY FIRE THAT NOTHING COULD BE DETERMINED AS TO WHY THE ENGINE BACKFIRED AND QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6685Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6685Q-1996-05-14), registration cancelled 1996-05-14, S/N 202B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 202B
- Airframe hours: 4659
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ed & Alex Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1988, 351 hours before
- Departed: 2 RI, JEANERETTE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 44,366 total, 23,877 in this make and model, 44,360 as pilot in command, 274 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 2 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 19880819038209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880819038209A), Aug 19, 1988: Scwzer G164B, Catahoula, LA, Destroyed. Engine quit at 15 feet AGL while chasing birds off rice field. Crashed and burned. No cause of power loss given.

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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