# NTSB FTW98LA206: Grumman G-164B, N48484, Lewisville, AR, May 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 4, 1998, 18:55 local (23:55 UTC) - Place: Lewisville, AR - Coordinates: 33.359043, -93.570831 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3590&lon=-93.5708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA206 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA206 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot of the turbine-powered agricultural airplane reported that the engine loss power while applying fertilizer to pine trees. The pilot added that there were no open areas available for the forced landing and the airplane settled into the pine trees. The airplane's fuel system was found to be 3/4 full, and fuel was present in the fuel lines to the engine. The operator reported that 3 other airplanes under his supervision were refueled from the same tanker and none reported any fuel contamination problems. The engine was not equipped with an auto re-light or continuos ignition system. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On May 4, 1998, at 1855 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B agricultural airplane, N48484, was substantially damaged after impacting trees and terrain following the loss of engine power while maneuvering near Lewisville, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Thrash Air Service Inc., of Pelahatchie, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from Clinton, Arkansas, at approximately 1835. According to local law enforcement officers that responded to the accident site, the pilot reported that the engine loss power while applying fertilizer to pine trees. The pilot added that there were no open areas available for the forced landing and the airplane settled into the pine trees. Examination of the wreckage by the FAA inspector revealed that both main landing gears were torn off the airframe and the leading edges of both lower wings sustained structural damage. The airplane's fuel system was found to be 3/4 full, and fuel was present in the fuel lines to the engine. The operator reported that 3 other airplanes under his supervision were refueled from the same tanker and none reported any fuel contamination problems. The airplane had been converted to turbine power. The engine was not equipped with an auto re-light or continuos ignition system. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48484](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48484), registered now, S/N 43B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 43B - Engines: Garrett TPE331-6-252M 840 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Jimmy Thrash - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TXK, 25 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 19980504008429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980504008429A), May 4, 1998: Scwzer G164B, Lewisville, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit while applying fertilizer, acft crashed into pine trees, Lewisville, AR. (.4)the pilot of the turbine-powered agricultural airplane reported that… ## Other investigations on N48484 (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 CHI94DCA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DCA02), Jul 18, 1994: Schweizer G-164B (N48484), Harviell, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the separation of the oil supply line to the propeller governor, which resulted in the propeller inadvertently going into feather. Factors were the pilots intentional ground loop of the airplane to… - [NTSB MKC78DCJ42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DCJ42), Aug 19, 1978: Grumman G-164 (N48484), Naper, NE, 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.