# NTSB FTW98LA016: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8819H, Altus, OK, October 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 15, 1997, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Altus, OK - Coordinates: 34.639423, -99.309478 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6394&lon=-99.3095&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 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20456 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20456/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA016 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the cracked cylinder. A factor was the lack of suitable 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, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The agricultural airplane's engine lost power as the pilot was turning the airplane between spray passes. The ensuing forced landing was made to a soft field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the radial engine revealed that a circumferential crack had completely separated the #4 cylinder head from the cylinder barrel. ## Factual narrative On October 15, 1997, at 1800 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A agricultural airplane, N8819H, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Altus, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, who was doing business as Brown's Flying Service of Drumright, Oklahoma. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and in the attached NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the engine lost power as he was turning the airplane between spray passes. The pilot further reported that the ensuing forced landing was made to a soft field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to the FAA inspector who inspected the airplane at the accident site, the top wing and vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage. Examination of the radial engine, a Pratt & Whitney R-985-14B, by the FAA inspector revealed that a circumferential crack had completely separated the #4 cylinder head from the cylinder barrel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8819H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8819H-2000-06-14), registration cancelled 2000-06-14, S/N 1539 (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: 1539 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Max K. Brown - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1997, 200 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,504 total, 2,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LTS, 7 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 19971015031309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971015031309A), Oct 15, 1997: Scwzer G164A, Altus, OK, Substantial damage. Engine quit during turnaround between spray runs. Nosed over soft field. NR4 cylinder head seperated. (-23) on October 15, 1997, at approximately 1800 central,… ## Other investigations on N8819H (1) 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 FTW82DRJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DRJ04), Nov 4, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N8819H), Elm Grove, LA, 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.