# NTSB FTW98LA232: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8308K, Eunice, LA, May 19, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1998, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Eunice, LA
- Coordinates: 30.490415, -92.410202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4904&lon=-92.4102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA232

## Probable cause

The 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, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

While en route to a field to apply fertilizer, the aircraft's engine lost power for an undetermined reason.  The pilot initiated a forced landing and turned towards an open field.  The aircraft 'clipped' the top of a tree, impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted.  A postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 1998, at 1830 central daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane, N8308K, owned and operated by the pilot, DBA Cajun Cropdusters, was destroyed during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power near Eunice, Louisiana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was seriously injured.

According to the pilot, the aircraft was over a pond about a mile from its staging field, en route to a field to apply fertilizer, when the aircraft's engine lost power.  The pilot initiated a forced landing and turned to the left towards an open field.  The aircraft "clipped" the top of a tree separating the left main landing gear.  The aircraft impacted the ground and came to rest inverted.  A postimpact fire ensued, which destroyed the aircraft.

According to the FAA inspector, the aircraft's last annual inspection was completed on May 19, 1998, with a total aircraft time of 5,748 hours.

The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, were unsuccessful.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8308K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8308K-2000-03-04), registration cancelled 2000-03-04, S/N 655B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 655B
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Jean P. Ardoin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1998
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 430 total, 130 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 24 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 19980519010189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980519010189A), May 19, 1998: Scwzer G164B, Eunice, LA, Destroyed. Acft engine failed during aerial application and the acft crashed, Eunice, LA. (.4)while en route to a field to apply fertilizer, the aircraft's engine lost…

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.

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