# NTSB FTW89DRD12: Schweizer G-164B, N8172K, Donaldsonville, LA, July 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1989, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Donaldsonville, LA
- Coordinates: 30.089685, -90.989463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0897&lon=-90.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD12

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN.

## 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, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AG AIRPLANE HAD BEEN WORKING FOR 15 MINUTES WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT DUMPED THE LOAD, AND FIVE SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE POWER RETURNED. THE PILOT CLIMBED THE AIRPLANE AND TURNED TOWARD THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. AT 300 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AGAIN, AND THE PILOT TURNED BACK TOWARD THE FIELD HE HAD BEEN WORKING. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN HIGH SOYBEANS, AND ROLLED 85 FEET BEFORE THE PROPELLER DUG IN. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8172K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8172K), registered now, S/N 600B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 600B
- Airframe hours: 3539
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Air Farm Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1989, 200 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,543 total, 5,169 in this make and model, 6,519 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 82 °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 19890729025779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890729025779A), Jul 29, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Donaldsonville, LA, Substantial damage. Engine failed during a spray operation. Dumped load, landed in the soybean field and nosed over.

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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