# NTSB FTW96LA272: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N4698, Holyoke, CO, June 22, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1996, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC) - Place: Holyoke, CO - Coordinates: 40.580905, -102.300376 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5809&lon=-102.3004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19880/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA272 ## Probable cause the total failure of the engine main bearing. A factor was the soft terrain condition on which the forced landing was made. ## 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, climb - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the engine began to vibrate and the control stick shook. He initiated a shallow left turn, and the engine began losing power. As he rolled out of the turn the engine quit. He made a forced landing in a soft field and the airplane nosed over. During the postaccident engine examination, ferrous metal was found in the oil sump. The filters and screens, however, were clear of debris. A spokesman for the disassembly facility said there was evidence that the main bearing had failed, causing the engine to seize. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1996, approximately 0730 mountain daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N4698, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Holyoke, Colorado. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137. The flight was originating when the accident occurred. The pilot said that shortly after takeoff, the engine began to vibrate and the control stick shook. He initiated a shallow left turn, and the engine began losing power. As he rolled out of the turn, the engine quit. He made a forced landing in a soft field and the airplane nosed over. The engine and propeller were examined at the facilities of Hershey Aircraft Services, Hershey, Nebraska. An FAA inspector from the Lincoln, Nebraska, Flight Standards District Office monitored the examination. Initially nothing was found that would explain the vibration and subsequent loss of engine power. Later, the oil sump was removed and ferrous metal was observed in the sump. The filters and screens, however, were clear of debris. A spokesman for Hershey Aircraft Services said there was evidence that the main bearing had failed, causing the engine to seize. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4698](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4698), registered now, S/N 1081 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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: 1081 - Airframe hours: 3424 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Steggs Aerial Spraying, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1995, 120 hours before - Departed: 8V5, HOLYOKE, CO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 895 total, 595 in this make and model, 790 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19960622014939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960622014939A), Jun 22, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Holyoke, CO, No damage. Engine stalled on takeoff, landed on wheels and flipped over. Chemicals on board. ## Other investigations on N4698 (2) 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 ATL83LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA358), Sep 7, 1983: Grumman G-164A (N4698), Estill, SC, destroyed - [NTSB MKC73DCQ31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73DCQ31), May 16, 1973: Grumman G-164A (N4698), Mccune, KS, 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.