# NTSB FTW96LA329: Grumman G-164A, N25SK, Burlington, CO, July 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1996, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Burlington, CO - Coordinates: 39.299179, -102.269508 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2992&lon=-102.2695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19930 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA329 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19930/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA329 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power resulting from a cracked cylinder. 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 - aerial application - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - ditch - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was returning from spraying a field when the engine lost power. He performed a forced landing to an alfalfa field. The airplane's left landing gear impacted a ditch, and the airplane came to a stop in an inverted position. The FAA inspector on the scene reported that a crack was found on the bottom number 5 cylinder. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1996, at 0800 mountain daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N25SK, registered to Steggs Flying Service and operated by Seelhoff Aerial Spraying, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Burlington, Colorado. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight that began approximately one hour before the accident. The pilot reported that he was returning from spraying a field when the engine lost power. The pilot performed a forced landing to an alfalfa field. The airplane's left landing gear impacted a ditch made by a pivotal sprinkler system, and the airplane came to a stop in an inverted position. The top wing, the empennage, and the propeller were all damaged in the impact sequence. The FAA inspector on the scene reported that, when the engine was inspected, a crack was found on the bottom number 5 cylinder. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25SK-2000-05-02), registration cancelled 2000-05-02, S/N 1335 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1335 - Airframe hours: 3882 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ron Seelhoff, doing business as Seelhoff Aerial Spraying - Registered owner: Steggs Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1996, 150 hours before - Departed: ITR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,145 total, 358 in this make and model, 2,790 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °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 19960731020289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960731020289A), Jul 31, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Burlington, CO, Substantial damage. Lost an engine, made emergency landing, struck a ditch and flipped over. ## Other investigations on N25SK (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 SEA86LA109](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA109), Apr 23, 1986: Grumman G164-A (N25SK), Echo, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA79DYP32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYP32), Jul 3, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N25SK), Lewiston, ID, 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.