# NTSB FTW95LA293: Grumman G-164A, N9949, Simmesport, LA, July 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 13, 1995, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Simmesport, LA
- Coordinates: 30.980642, -91.810638 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9806&lon=-91.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19495
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA293
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19495/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA293

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 7 CYLINDER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE AERIAL APPLICATION AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE ON THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB FROM AN AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE STRAIGHT AHEAD AND EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING INTO A ROUGH AND UNEVEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST IN THE INVERTED POSITION. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE TOP PORTION OF THE VALVE AREA FOR THE NUMBER 7 CYLINDER SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE.

## Factual narrative

On July 13, 1995, at 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, N9949, was substantially damaged while landing following a loss of engine power near Simmesport, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  The airplane was being operated by W.D. Flyers of Simmesport, Louisiana, under Title 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, for which a flight plan was not filed.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that the engine lost power during initial takeoff climb.  The pilot elected to continue straight ahead into an open field.  Subsequently, the aircraft impacted the ground in rough and uneven terrain coming to rest in the inverted position.

Post accident examination of the engine revealed that the top portion of the valve area for the number 7 cylinder separated from the engine resulting in the loss of engine power.  The engine had accumulated 131 hours since the last overhaul.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9949](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9949-1997-01-06), registration cancelled 1997-01-06, S/N 1358 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1358
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Donald I. Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19950713018459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950713018459A), Jul 13, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Simmesport, LA, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff ag strip. Force landed in rough area. Nosed over. NR7 cyl portion of valve area seperated.

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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