# NTSB FTW95LA328: Grumman G-164A, N526Y, Searcy, AR, August 2, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1995, 12:09 local (17:09 UTC) - Place: Searcy, AR - Coordinates: 35.240913, -91.730995 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2409&lon=-91.7310&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19524 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA328 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19524/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA328 ## Probable cause THE INADVERTENT STALL AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE APPROACH. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB, THE ENGINE 'DID NOT SOUND RIGHT' AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP TO LAND. DURING THE TURN FROM DOWNWIND TO FINAL, 'THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND FELL ABOUT 30 FEET TO THE GROUND.' THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN A BEAN FIELD, NOSED OVER, AND CAME TO REST IN THE INVERTED POSITION. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE HOPPER HAD JUST BEEN TOPPED OFF WITH 1,350 POUNDS OF CHEMICALS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ## Factual narrative On August 2, 1995, at 1209 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, N526Y, was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Searcy, Arkansas. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was being operated as an aerial application flight by Air Crop, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which no flight plan was filed. According to the operator, the airplane was topped off with 1,350 pounds of chemicals prior to departure from the airstrip. The pilot told the operator that the engine "didn't sound right" and elected to return to the airstrip. The airplane was observed climbing to approximately 300 feet AGL and entering the downwind leg. The operator added that during the turn from downwind to base leg "the airplane stalled and fell about 30 feet to the ground". The airplane impacted in a bean field, and nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N526Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N526Y-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 163, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l6) (registry code 35005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 126 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: David Black - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1995, 30 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 750 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LIT, 330 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 19950802048959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950802048959A), Aug 2, 1995: Scwzer G164, Searcy, AR, Substantial damage. (-16) After takeoff pilot made climbing left hand turn, went down wind and then turned base to land. Aircraft stalled and landed short of the runway, flipped… ## Other investigations on N526Y (3) 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 FTW94LA216](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA216), Jun 30, 1994: Grumman G-164A (N526Y), Searcy, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT FOR THE FORCED LANDING AND HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT… - [NTSB FTW74DPG60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DPG60), May 23, 1974: Grumman G-164 (N526Y), Carlisle, AR, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW67F0570](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0570), May 5, 1967: Grumman G-164 (N526Y), Church Point, LA, substantial damage 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.