# NTSB FTW92LA094: Grumman G-164A, N5378, Garwood, TX, March 18, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1992, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Garwood, TX
- Coordinates: 29.449567, -96.510307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4496&lon=-96.5103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA094

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ROCKER ARM FAILURE. A FACTOR WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A DAY TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ROCKER ARM FAILURE. THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY LANDED ON A RICE PADDY; HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A DIKE AND NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. THE ENGINE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 40 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WHILE TAKING OFF WITH A HIGH GROSS WEIGHT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO DUMP MOST OF THE CHEMICAL PRIOR TO LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5378](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5378-2013-01-30), registration cancelled 2013-01-30, S/N 1142, built 1973 (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: 1142
- Airframe hours: 7213
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aero Ag Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Ag Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1992, 28 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,127 total, 607 in this make and model, 1,053 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCT, 26 nm away

## 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 19920318009969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920318009969A), Mar 18, 1992: Scwzer G164A, Garwood, TX, Substantial damage. Engine backfired and quit on initial climb. Nosed over landing after dumping load. Rocker arm failure.

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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