# NTSB FTW89DRA08: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6633Q, Anahuac, TX, July 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1989, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Anahuac, TX
- Coordinates: 29.759578, -94.669013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7596&lon=-94.6690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRA08

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE SUPERCHARGER BEARING. THE DIRT BANK WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,partial (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - load jettison - performed
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - climb - not possible

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THERE WAS A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT JETTISIONED THE CHEMICAL LOAD, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR AN EMBANKMENT BEYOND THE END OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER HITTING THE EMBANKMENT, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER & BEGAN BURNING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE POWER LOSS WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF A SUPERCHARGER BEARING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6633Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6633Q-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 161B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN-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)
- 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: 161B
- Airframe hours: 5109
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 91
- Operator: Brown, Ronnie J.
- Registered owner: William J. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 1989, 2,946 hours before
- Departed: TOO
- Airport: TOO, Chambers County, runway 17, 2,300 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 178 total, 29 in this make and model, 136 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 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 19890718028699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890718028699A), Jul 18, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Anahuac, TX, Destroyed. Non ag rated pilot was unable to get the aircraft airborne on takeoff. Ran off end runway nosed over and burned.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
