# NTSB FTW94LA145: Grumman G-164A, N9682, El Campo, TX, May 7, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1994, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: El Campo, TX
- Coordinates: 29.190155, -96.269706 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1902&lon=-96.2697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA145

## Probable cause

THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO ONE MAGNETO BEING WEAK AND THE OTHER MAGNETO ARCING INSIDE ITS CASE. 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
  - ignition system,magneto - deteriorated (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - arcing (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB.  DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK POWER LINES, AND DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL.  THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED, AND WAS DESTROYED BY A POST IMPACT FIRE.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURES THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER; HOWEVER, TESTING OF THE MAGNETOS REVEALED THAT ONE WAS WEAK AND THE OTHER WAS ARCING INSIDE ITS CASE.

## Factual narrative

On May 7, 1994, at 1630 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N9682, was destroyed during a forced landing near El Campo, Texas.  The commercial pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

The pilot reported that during the takeoff initial climb, after turning crosswind, the engine started to lose power.  During the emergency descent the airplane struck power lines, and control was lost.  The pilot attempted to jettison his chemical load for the forced landing.  The pilot further reported that the airplane came to rest inverted, and was destroyed by a post-impact fire.

An examination of the engine revealed no mechanical failures that could have caused the loss of power.  However, testing of the magnetos revealed that one was weak and the other magneto was arcing inside its case.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9682](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9682-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 1201, built 1974 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1201
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Grayson Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,457 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 1,759 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 20 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 50 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 19940507010279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940507010279A), May 7, 1994: Scwzer G164A, El Campo, TX, Destroyed. Began losing power after takeoff. Struck powerline. Crashed in verted and burned. Found weak magnetoes.

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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