# NTSB FTW89DRD09: Schweizer G-164A, N602Y, Bunkie, LA, June 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1989, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Bunkie, LA
- Coordinates: 30.949092, -92.17926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9491&lon=-92.1793&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 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22730
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22730/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD09

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER IN FLIGHT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF ENGINE RPM. THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE LANDING FLARE HEIGHT DUE TO OBSCURED VISION FROM FIRE AND SMOKE AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND NOSE FIRST.

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Fire, descent - emergency
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AG AIRPLANE WAS APPLYING FERTILIZER ON A FIELD WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND NOSED OVER AFTER LANDING IN A SOY BEAN FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE NUMBER FIVE CYLINDER WAS MISSING FROM THE ENGINE CASE. FROM THE TIME THE ENGINE LOST POWER, UNTIL THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, THERE WAS FIRE AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH OBSCURRED THE PILOT'S VISION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N602Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602Y-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 227, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (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: 227
- Airframe hours: 5258
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Theodore Norris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1989, 283 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,531 total, 1,850 in this make and model, 4,490 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 115 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890623017449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890623017449A), Jun 23, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Bunkie, LA, Substantial damage. Engine failed on a swath run. Blinded by smoke in cockpit, nosed over landing. NR5 cylinder had failed.

## Other investigations on N602Y (2)

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.

- [NTSB MKC76DCA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76DCA04), Jul 29, 1975: Grumman G-164 (N602Y), Randlees, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW73DPG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73DPG06), Aug 1, 1972: Grumman G-164 (N602Y), Weiner, AR, substantial damage

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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