# NTSB FTW90DRD07: Grumman G-164A, N8938H, Ville Platte, LA, May 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1990, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Ville Platte, LA
- Coordinates: 30.69079, -92.279045 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6908&lon=-92.2790&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 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22984
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRD07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22984/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRD07

## Probable cause

PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER INTAKE ROCKER BOX HOUSING. THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING SITE WAS A RELATED 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,partial
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,partial (cause)
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT WAS SPREADING SEED RICE ON THE FIELD, AND DURING THE SECOND PASS, THE ENGINE STOPPED, THEN RESUMED POWER. THIS OCCURRED 2 MORE TIMES. THE PILOT TIRED TO GET TO A ROAD FOR A FORCED LANDING, BUT HAD TO LAND IN A FLOODED RICE FIELD. AT TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE FLIPPED FORWARD TO THE INVERTED POSITION. THE AIRPLANE WAS DEMOLISHED, BUT THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. AFTER RECOVERY, THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE ROCKER BOX HOUSING WAS FOUND TO BE CRACKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8938H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8938H-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N 1366, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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: 1366
- Airframe hours: 6092
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Patrick Aaron Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1989, 280 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 11,768 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 11,511 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19900502013259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900502013259A), May 2, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Ville Platte, LA, Substantial damage. NR4 cylinder intake valve rocker arm housing failed on a spray run. Engine quit. Ag plane nosed over in rice field.

## Other investigations on N8938H (1)

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 SEA92LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA125), Jun 11, 1992: Grumman G-164A (N8938H), Coulee City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS INCLUDE SOFT TERRAIN.

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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