# NTSB FTW95LA371: Grumman G-164A, N8783H, Trumann, AR, August 26, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1995, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Trumann, AR
- Coordinates: 35.670482, -90.509628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6705&lon=-90.5096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA371

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE TO THE PILOT TO EXECUTE THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING HEAVILY AND LOSING POWER WHILE SPRAYING PEA FIELDS DURING AND AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE ENGINE POWER DECREASED TO THE POINT WHERE THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN LEVEL FLIGHT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING TO A CULTIVATED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A DITCH AT THE END OF THE FIELD HE SELECTED FOR THE FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST IN THE INVERTED POSITION, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On August 26, 1995, at 1845 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, N8783H, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Trumann, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  The aircraft was being operated on an aerial application flight by Simmons Flying Service Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  The flight originated in Jonesboro, Arkansas, at approximately 1815 CDT.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which no flight plan was filed.

According to the operator, the pilot noticed that the engine was smoking heavily and losing power while spraying pea fields during an aerial application flight.  The pilot stated that the degradation of engine power continued to the point where he was unable to maintain level flight, so he elected to execute a forced landing to a bean field.  During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a ditch at the end of the bean field causing the airplane to nose over and come to rest in the inverted position.

Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the airframe sustained structural damage.  The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8783H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8783H-1996-07-23), registration cancelled 1996-07-23, S/N 1527 (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: 1527
- Engines: PEZETEL PZL-3S 967 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: William H. Simmons
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1995, 400 hours before
- Departed: JBR, JONESBORO, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 25 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 19950826049569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950826049569A), Aug 26, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Trumann, AR, Destroyed. (-16) Further investigation pending until engine teardown, scheduled at clinton, AR.

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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