# NTSB FTW92LA132: Schweizer G-164D, N8331K, Welsh, LA, May 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1992, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Welsh, LA
- Coordinates: 30.230396, -92.809455 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2304&lon=-92.8095&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 August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA132

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE AT LIFTOFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF MULTIPLE TURBINE BLADES AND THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF.

## 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
  - turbine assembly,turbine blade - movement restricted (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE PILOT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FLAMES BRIEFLY ENGULFED THE COCKPIT.  AS THE FLAMES CLEARED THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK ONTO THE STRIP.  THE PILOT APPLIED MAXIMUM BRAKING; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE DEVELOPED A LEFT DRIFT THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT.  THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A THREE FOOT DEEP DITCH.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT SEVERAL TURBINE BLADES HAD BEEN RELEASED FROM BOTH THE GAS PRODUCER AND POWER TURBINE WHEELS.  THE MANUFACTURER REPORTED THAT THE BLADES WERE RELEASED AS A RESULT OF INTERFERENCE, BUT DID NOT REPORT THE REASON FOR THE INTERFERENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8331K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8331K-2026-09-21), registration cancelled 2026-09-21, S/N 16D, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164D
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164D](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164d) (registry code 3979908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 16D
- Airframe hours: 4569
- Engines: P&W PT6-15AG 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Lyon Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Lyon Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1992, 150 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 12,944 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 12,814 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 79 °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 19920514018929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920514018929A), May 14, 1992: Scwzer G164D, Welsh, LA, Substantial damage. Explosion on takeoff with smoke and flame in cockpit. Engine seized. Crash landed. Turbine blades were released.

## Other investigations on N8331K (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 CEN23LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA197), May 22, 2023: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164D (N8331K), Gueydan, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid each other resulting in a collision on the airstrip. Contributing was the pilots’ failure to announce their intentions over their radios as they were…

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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