# NTSB FTW92LA116: Grumman G-164A, N9546, Welsh, LA, April 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1992, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Welsh, LA
- Coordinates: 30.229345, -92.810371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2293&lon=-92.8104&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 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA116

## Probable cause

PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO THE CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING INITIAL TAKEOFF FROM THE AGRICULTURAL WORK STRIP. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DUMP THE 1,800 POUNDS OF FERTILIZER AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED STRAIGHT AHEAD. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A SOFT, WET FIELD. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL, IT COLLIDED WITH A DIRT BANK AND CONTINUED FORWARD AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A CRACKED NUMBER NINE CYLINDER AT A SPARK PLUG HOLE. THE SPARK PLUG COULD BE LIFTED FROM THE HOLE BY HAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9546](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9546-1994-06-27), registration cancelled 1994-06-27, S/N 1208 (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: 1208
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Riceland Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Riceland Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1992

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 8,432 total, 8,100 in this make and model, 8,300 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 180 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19920414010039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920414010039A), Apr 14, 1992: Scwzer G164A, Welch, LA, Substantial damage. Partial powerloss on liftoff. Struck dirt embankment on forced landing after dumping load. NR9 cylinder cracked.

## Other investigations on N9546 (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 FTW80DRD30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DRD30), May 6, 1980: Grumman G-164A (N9546), Jennings, 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.