# NTSB FTW88DRG07: Grumman G-164A, N4647, Alamo, TX, February 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 26, 1988, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Alamo, TX
- Coordinates: 26.17979, -98.110221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1798&lon=-98.1102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRG07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CLIMB WHEN HE MADE HIS INITIAL POWER REDUCTION. THE POWER LOSS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD BANG. A SEVERE POSTACCIDENT GROUND FIRE MELTED A LARGE PORTION OF THE ENGINE. A PARTIAL ENGINE TEARDOWN WAS PERFORMED, HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO REVEAL THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS OR THE LOUD BANG. THE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE CONNECTING RODS, CRANKSHAFT, ETC., REMAINED INTACT. THE GROUND FIRE FOLLOWED A FORCED LNDG AND NOSEOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4647](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4647-2020-01-06), registration cancelled 2020-01-06, S/N 1074, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- 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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1074
- Airframe hours: 3422
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Midvalley Dusters
- Registered owner: Colvin Aircraft Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1987, 172 hours before
- Destination: CST
- Airport: Mid Valley, runway 13, 1,900 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,965 total, 5,840 as pilot in command, 750 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19880226012739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880226012739A), Feb 26, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Alamo, TX, Destroyed. Loud bang and power loss on level off and power reduction, struck a dirt bank. Flipped over. Fire obscured cause.

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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