# NTSB FTW94LA177: Grumman G-164B, N48386, Casscoe, AR, May 24, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1994, 13:55 local (18:55 UTC)
- Place: Casscoe, AR
- Coordinates: 34.500179, -91.299545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5002&lon=-91.2995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA177

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL AND POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.  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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly - seized (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT COMPLETED A SWATH RUN AND INITIATED A CLIMB, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE ENGINE.  DURING A TURN, A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED.  THE PILOT DUMPED HIS LOAD AND INITIATED A 180 DEGREE TURN TO THE ONLY SUITABLE LANDING AREA AVAILABLE.  AFTER ABOUT 90 DEGREES OF TURN HE REALIZED THAT HE WAS TOO LOW AND SLOW TO MAKE THE INTENDED FIELD.  HE LEVELED THE WINGS AND LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD.  THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A DITCH, THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED, AND A FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT.  THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On May 24, 1994, at 1355 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N48386, was destroyed while maneuvering near Casscoe, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

According to the pilot/operator report, the pilot had completed a swath run and had initiated a climb when he observed white smoke coming from the engine.  During a left turn, a total loss of engine power occurred, and the engine seized.  The dumped his load and initiated a 180 degree turn to the only suitable landing area available.  After about 90 degrees of turn he realized that he was too low and slow to make the intended field.  He leveled the wings and landed straight ahead.  The airplane impacted the ground in a level attitude, and then bounced 50 feet into the air.  The pilot moved the control stick to the full aft position and the nose dropped.  The airplane impacted a ditch, the fuel tank ruptured, and a fire destroyed the aircraft.  The cause of the power loss was not determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48386](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48386-1999-08-24), registration cancelled 1999-08-24, S/N 11B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11B
- Airframe hours: 6151
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Dewitt Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994, 75 hours before
- Departed: NONE, DEWITT, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 18,400 total, 942 in this make and model, 18,140 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots, gusting 4
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19940524016449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940524016449A), May 24, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Casscoe, AR, Destroyed. Engine smoked during procedure turn. Lost power and siezed. Dumped load. Hit ditch. Burned. Cause power loss unknown

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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