# NTSB FTW97LA117: Grumman G-164, N527Y, Newkirk, OK, March 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 1997, 09:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Newkirk, OK - Coordinates: 36.879009, -97.050216 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8790&lon=-97.0502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20168/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA117 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power due to failure of the blower (integral supercharger). A factor was the power line over which the pilot had to maneuver during the forced landing which resulted in insufficient airspeed to flare the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The agricultural airplane was applying fertilizer to a field when the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected an open meadow in which to make an emergency landing. On approach to the meadow, he maneuvered over a set of power lines and lost 'most of [his] flying airspeed.' The airplane landed hard in the meadow, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine by the operator revealed that the blower (integral supercharger) had failed. ## Factual narrative On March 6, 1997, at 0945 central standard time, a Grumman G-164, N527Y, registered to Adventure Leasing LLC and operated by Green's Ag Sprayers under Title 14 CFR Part 137, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Newkirk, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local aerial application flight that originated from a private airport 10 minutes before the accident. On the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that he was making his first pass to apply fertilizer to a field when the airplane's engine "began to lose power." He then "pushed all power levers to full power which resulted in a severe vibration." The engine continued to lose power, and the pilot selected "an open meadow" in which to make an emergency landing. On approach to the meadow, the pilot "had to get the plane over a set of power lines which resulted in the loss of "most of [his] flying airspeed." The airplane "landed hard on its gear which collapsed them causing damage to the underside and engine resulting in the plane flipping over." During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the operator reported that examination of the engine revealed that the blower (integral supercharger) had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N527Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N527Y-1999-04-23), registration cancelled 1999-04-23, S/N 164 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 164 - Airframe hours: 8458 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Green'S Ag Sprayers - Registered owner: Adventure Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1996, 298 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,634 total, 550 in this make and model, 1,399 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19970306002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970306002479A), Mar 6, 1997: Scwzer G164, Newkirk, OK, Substantial damage. Lost power and engine vibration on spray run. Stalled clearing powerline. Flipped over. Supercharger had failed. (-23) at 9:54 am, kirk fitch flying G164,… ## Other investigations on N527Y (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 DEN89LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA110), Apr 19, 1989: Grumman G-164 (N527Y), Kindred, ND, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS DURING THE TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. - [NTSB NYC84LA277](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA277), Aug 16, 1984: Grumman G-164 (N527Y), Fairmont, MD, 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.