# NTSB FTW89DRD11: Schweizer G-164A, N48377, Lake Arthur, LA, July 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1989, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Arthur, LA
- Coordinates: 30.070119, -92.799247 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0701&lon=-92.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD11

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. THE HIGH WEEDS (VEGETATION) & LEVEE (DIRT BANK) WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE STARTED THE TAKEOFF ROLL WITH 36 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE, AND WHEN HE WAS 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN THE 1,600 FOOT GRASS STRIP, HE LOOKED DOWN AND FOUND HE WAS GETTING ONLY 28 INCHES. HE STARTED TO DUMP HIS LOAD, AND AS HE GOT TO THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP, HE VEERED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING WENT INTO HIGH WEEDS, AND THE LEFT GEAR IMPACTED A SMALL LEVEE. THE AIRPLANE ENDED UP INVERTED. NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48377](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48377), registered now, S/N 1541, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer 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: 1541
- Airframe hours: 5601
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: La Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1989, 421 hours before
- Airport: Farm Strip, runway 36, 1,600 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,201 total, 2,800 in this make and model, 31,010 as pilot in command, 410 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890719033209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890719033209A), Jul 19, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Lake Arthur, LA, Substantial damage. Engine failed on the takeoff roll. Ran off end of runway, struck a dirt bank and overturned.

## Other investigations on N48377 (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 FTW84LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA225), May 7, 1984: Grumman G164A (N48377), Fenton, LA, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW80DRD51](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRD51), Jul 29, 1980: Grumman G-164A (N48377), Kinder, LA, 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.

---
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.