# NTSB FTW92LA020: Grumman G-164A, N4546, Epps, LA, November 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1991, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Epps, LA
- Coordinates: 32.730995, -91.429084 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7310&lon=-91.4291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA020

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF 1/2 OF A PROPELLER BLADE. FACTORS WERE POWERPLANT VIBRATION AND RESULTANT POWERPLANT SEPARATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,partial (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Hard landing, landing
  - powerplant - vibration (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - powerplant - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF OF A PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. WITH SEVERE ENGINE VIBRATIONS, THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A COTTON FIELD AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME. A FUEL FED FIRE DESTROYED EVERYTHING FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4546](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4546-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 1054 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1052
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Faye Pillars, doing business as Rebel Flying Service
- Registered owner: Faye Pillars
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, PIONEER, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,296 total, 1,576 in this make and model, 4,296 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19911106049969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911106049969A), Nov 6, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Epps, LA, Substantial damage. Prop blade separated in flight. Landed in cotten field. Vibration separated engine from firewall.

## Other investigations on N4546 (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 FTW80DRD28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRD28), May 4, 1980: Grumman G-164A (N4546), Deweyville, TX, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW74FRA27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FRA27), Feb 4, 1974: Grumman G-164A (N4546), Brookshire, TX, 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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