# NTSB FTW93LA027: Grumman G-164, N637U, Liverpool, TX, October 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1992, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Liverpool, TX
- Coordinates: 29.289419, -95.269912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2894&lon=-95.2699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA027

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE BLOWER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL.

## Analysis

AN AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE ON A RYE GRASS SEEDING FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE PILOT STARTED TO BANK THE AIRPLANE TO REVERSE DIRECTION AT THE TOP OF THE TURN. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO ROLL THE WINGS LEVEL AND DROP THE NOSE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED UNTIL JUST ABOVE THE TREES, WHERE HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE AND SETTLED INTO THE TREES. THE POWER LOSS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE BLOWER BEARINGS.

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - seized (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N637U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N637U-1998-09-30), registration cancelled 1998-09-30, S/N 373 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 373
- Airframe hours: 5778
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Byron J. Raney, doing business as Westside Farms, Inc.
- Registered owner: Byron J. Raney
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1992, 197 hours before
- Departed: 6R5, ALVIN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,535 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,360 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 22 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 19921029046349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921029046349A), Oct 29, 1992: Scwzer G164, Liverpool, TX, Substantial damage. Engine belched black smoke and lost power. Stalled into trees. Engine blower failed due to bearing 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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