# NTSB FTW95LA263: Grumman G-164A, N8685H, Cheneyville, LA, June 27, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1995, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Cheneyville, LA
- Coordinates: 31.010698, -92.279632 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0107&lon=-92.2796&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 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA263
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA263

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AT A LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

DURING AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS THE PILOT MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT INCREASED POWER; HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT ARREST THE RATE OF DESCENT AND THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On June 27, 1995, at 1400 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, N8685H, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while maneuvering near Cheneyville, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot reported that after departing an airstrip, the aircraft began losing altitude while in a left turn 60 feet above ground level.  The aircraft continued "sinking" despite adding additional power.  The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground resulting in structural damage to the wing leading edges, engine and fuselage.

An inspection of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed no anomalies that could have resulted in the loss of power or loss of lift.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8685H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8685H-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 1468, built 1975 (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: 1468
- Airframe hours: 7210
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bernard J. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 1995, 292 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,320 total, 700 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ESF, 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 19950627014859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950627014859A), Jun 27, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Cheneyville, LA, Substantial damage. During procedure turn began lose altitude. Pilot failed note. Impacted ground. Airspeed too slow a factor.

## Other investigations on N8685H (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 FTW79DRD43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRD43), Jun 26, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N8685H), Kinder, LA, destroyed

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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