# NTSB FTW95LA202: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N9506, Joes, CO, May 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 1995, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Joes, CO - Coordinates: 39.649211, -102.680351 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6492&lon=-102.6804&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19420/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA202 ## Probable cause A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE: A MALFUNCTION IN THE FUEL MEASURING SYSTEM, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND SOFT AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor) - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT FIELD. DURING LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM PROVIDED EVIDENCE THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED 15 GALLONS WHEN THE TANKS WERE EMPTY. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 1995, at 1100 mountain daylight time, a Grumman/Schweizer G-164A, N9506, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, approximately 14 miles north of Joes, Colorado. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for this 14 CFR Part 137 flight. No flight plan was filed. The pilot stated that the engine quit while on an aerial application run and he conducted a forced landing in a soft field. The aircraft nosed over during landing roll. Examination of the aircraft by a repair facility provided information that the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Examination of the fuel system by the repair facility provided evidence that the fuel gauge, which is a float type gauge, read 15 gallons when the tanks were empty. The pilot provided information that the fuel gauge and measuring system components were original equipment and had approximately 5,311 hours in service with no overhaul, which is not required. The pilot also provided information that he had not conducted any fuel consumption calculations and relied on his fuel gauge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9506](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9506-2006-07-19), registration cancelled 2006-07-19, S/N 1178, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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: 1178 - Airframe hours: 5311 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Western Ag Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1995, 128 hours before - Departed: NONE, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,900 total, 2,566 in this make and model, 240 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °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 19950514012009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950514012009A), May 14, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Joes, CO, Substantial damage. During spray run lost power. Nosed over landing soft field. Fuel tanks empty. Fuel gauge showed 15GALLONS. 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.