# NTSB FTW94LA131: Gulfstream G-164B, N8402K, Delaplaine, AR, April 21, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1994, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Delaplaine, AR - Coordinates: 36.229373, -90.719795 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2294&lon=-90.7198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19038 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19038/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA131 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LOW ALTITUDE AT WHICH THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER AT ABOUT 60 FEET AGL. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE PILOT TO EFFECTIVELY PERFORM THE FORCED LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND CART WHEELED ON TOUCHDOWN. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE AND ENGINE BY A FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR AND THE OPERATOR DID NOT RESULT IN DETERMINATION OF THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1994, at 1045 central daylight time, a Gulfstream AM G-164B, N8402K, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Delaplaine, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the aerial application flight. During an interview with the pilot, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, he reported that he was in his initial climb following takeoff when he lost engine power. He further reported that there was insufficient altitude for him to effectively perform the forced landing. According to the enclosed pilot report, altitude at the time of the loss of power was 60 feet and the airplane "hit hard." An examination of the aircraft and accident scene revealed that the airplane cart wheeled resulting in damage to the wings and fuselage. An inspection of the airplane by a FAA airworthiness inspector did not reveal the reason for the loss of engine power and the operator has been unable to determine why it happened. The aircraft was released to the owner. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8402K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8402K-2024-06-21), registration cancelled 2024-06-21, S/N 687B, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM G-164B - Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 687B - Engines: GARRETT TPE331-1 660 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Wilson Flying Ser. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,800 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 7,600 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 4 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JBR, 25 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 19940421008749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940421008749A), Apr 21, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Delaplaine, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power on liftoff,landed hard cartwheeled. Unable find cause power loss. ## Other investigations on N8402K (5) 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 CEN15LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA259), Jun 3, 2015: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G 164B (N8402K), Delaplaine, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to establish a proper airspeed and angle-of attack during takeoff in elevated density altitude and light tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB CEN13LA504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA504), Aug 22, 2013: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly set the engine power for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane subsequently settling into terrain. - [NTSB CEN11CA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA174), May 10, 2011: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a left quartering tailwind and wind gusts. - [NTSB CHI07CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA230), Jul 23, 2007: Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a collision with terrain immediately after liftoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind and the levee. - [NTSB CHI07CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA144), May 14, 2007: Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A non-mechanical loss of engine power during the takeoff roll due to fuel contamination. An additional cause was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. A factor in the accident was the soft… 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.