# NTSB FTW94LA266: Grumman G-164B, N8251K, Matagorda, TX, August 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1994, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Matagorda, TX
- Coordinates: 28.730621, -95.880935 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.7306&lon=-95.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19137
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19137/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA266

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER. 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,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT MADE A SPRAY PASS OVER A RICE FIELD THE ENGINE BEGAN BACKFIRING, THEN LOST POWER. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE CHEMICAL AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A DIRT ROAD. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AS HE MANEUVERED FOR LANDING. POST ACCIDENT ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED A CRACK IN THE NUMBER 4 CYLINDER NEAR THE EXHAUST VALVE.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 1994, approximately 0900 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8251K, was destroyed when it collided with trees during a forced landing near Matagorda, Texas.  The airline transport-rated pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The following is based on a telephone conversation with the operator and the pilot/operator report.  The pilot was engaged in an aerial application operation.  As he made a spray pass over a rice field, the engine began backfiring and lost power.  The pilot jettisoned the chemical and attempted to land on a dirt road.  The airplane collided with trees as he maneuvered for landing.

According to the operator, post-accident engine examination revealed a crack in the number 4 cylinder near the exhaust valve.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8251K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8251K-2017-04-04), registration cancelled 2017-04-04, S/N 634B (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: 634B
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Fehmel Planes, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1994, 490 hours before
- Departed: TX11, BAY CITY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 20 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 19940810021099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940810021099A), Aug 10, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Matagorda, TX, Destroyed. During spray run engine backfired and quit. Dumped load. Tried for dirt road. Hit trees. NR4 cyl crack at exhaust.

## Other investigations on N8251K (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 CEN13LA551](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA551), Sep 4, 2013: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B (N8251K), Clemville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The uncommanded inflight application of parking brake due to a loose valve, which resulted in a noseover during landing.

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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