# NTSB FTW93LA215: Grumman G-164A, N9780, Mccrory, AR, July 13, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1993, 19:00 local (Jul 13, 1993, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Mccrory, AR - Coordinates: 35.25032, -91.190284 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2503&lon=-91.1903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18795 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18795/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA215 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CYLINDER FAILURE. 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(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis AN AGRICULTURAL PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE AIRPLANE ROTATED FOR TAKEOFF. THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO CLEAR A WILLOW TREE AND A DITCH AT THE END OF THE STRIP. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LOSS OF POWER WAS THE RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1993, at 1900 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N9780, was substantially damaged upon impact with terrain during a forced landing near McCrory, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. The pilot stated that a loss of engine power was experienced as the aircraft was breaking ground during the takeoff roll. Due to the short length of the airstrip and the barriers at the end of the strip, the pilot felt that aborting the takeoff was not an available option. The pilot broke ground but was not able to clear a willow tree and a ditch at the departure end of the strip. Examination of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector confirmed that the loss of power was the result of the failure of the number three cylinder assembly. The wreckage was released to the operator at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9780](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9780-1993-11-02), registration cancelled 1993-11-02, S/N 1275 (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: 1275 - Airframe hours: 10796 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Scarbrough, Jimmy R. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1993, 221 hours before - Airport: runway 18, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,856 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 220 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19930712023529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930712023529A), Jul 12, 1993: Scwzer G164A, Mccrory, AR, Substantial damage. Engine failed on climbout on ag flight. Unable clear a willow tree. NR3 cylinder had failed. ## Other investigations on N9780 (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 FTW92LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA078), Mar 2, 1992: Grumman G-164A (N9780), Gillette, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN SELECTED BY THE PILOT. 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.