# NTSB FTW89DQG05: Schweizer G-164A, N7903, Sunray, TX, August 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1989, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Sunray, TX
- Coordinates: 36.009624, -101.819145 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0096&lon=-101.8191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22711
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DQG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22711/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DQG05

## Probable cause

A TOTAL POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN IN WHICH THE PILOT HAD TO MAKE THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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, descent - normal
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE TURNING BACK TO A FIELD FOR A SWATH RUN, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AND A LOSS OF POWER. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN THE FIELD BEING SPRAYED, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION  WAS IDENTIFIED AS A CAUSE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7903](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7903-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 809, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164A
- 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: 809
- Airframe hours: 6993
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ed Barbour
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1989, 122 hours before
- Departed: Q43, SUNRAY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,397 total, 179 in this make and model, 2,927 as pilot in command, 179 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19890811054049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890811054049A), Aug 11, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Sunray, TX, Substantial damage. RPM rise and loss of thrust on a turn around. Elected to land and nosed over. Oil level not known. No defects found

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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