# NTSB FTW96LA132: Grumman G-164A, N48435, Dewitt, AR, February 24, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1996, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Dewitt, AR
- Coordinates: 34.279632, -91.329315 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2796&lon=-91.3293&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 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19771
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19771/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA132

## Probable cause

a loss of engine power due to the malfunction of the carburetor as a result of an improper overhaul.  A factor was the unsuitable 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, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - malfunction (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

The pilot was spraying a field when the airplane's engine lost power.  The airplane landed in the wet field that the pilot was spraying and came to rest in an inverted position.  The carburetor, which had recently been overhauled, was found to have been reassembled improperly.

## Factual narrative

On February 24, 1996, approximately 1130 central standard time, a Grumman G-164A, N48435, registered to and operated by Trites Flying Service, collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Dewitt, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight.  A flight plan was not filed for the local flight.

The pilot reported that he was spraying a field and, after finishing two short passes, the engine began to lose power.  During a turn, the engine lost all power.  He further reported that he began to "dump" his load of fertilizer while he looked for a place to land.  He elected to land in the wet field he was spraying.  The airplane came to rest in an inverted position.  The fuselage and both wings were damaged.

The FAA inspector reported that the engine carburetor had recently been overhauled by a certified repair station.  The re-assembly of the internal components of the carburetor was incorrect.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48435](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48435-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 1640, built 1976 (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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1640
- Airframe hours: 5664
- Engines: Pezetel 3S-D125 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: John Trites
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1996, 41 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,913 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 3,853 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19960224002619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960224002619A), Feb 24, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Dewitt, AR, Destroyed. Fertilizing, engine cut out, black smoke, landed in field, wheels stuck in ground. Flipped over. (-23) investigation of the PZL-3 powerplant for improper…

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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