# NTSB FTW98LA249: Grumman G-164A, N8629H, Iowa, LA, May 29, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 1998, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Iowa, LA - Coordinates: 30.229215, -93.01078 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2292&lon=-93.0108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20632 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20632/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA249 ## Probable cause partial loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s). The obstructions (trees & dirt bank) were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - landing gear,main gear - overload - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis Before takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 1,600 pounds of fertilizer to be applied on local rice fields. The pilot initiated a takeoff on a 2,300 foot grass airstrip. He stated that during the takeoff roll to the north, with a 5 to 8 knot crosswind from the west, the engine had a partial loss of power, and 'the tailwheel would not come up.' He released the load from the 300 gallon hopper, and the airplane became airborne. The main landing gear impacted the top of trees and subsequently impacted a levee. The pilot managed to continue flying, and proceeded to a 3,800 turf airstrip where emergency equipment was standing by. During the emergency landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. No reason was found for the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1998, at 1445 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A agricultural airplane, N8629H, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and terrain while on takeoff near Iowa, Louisiana. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by O'Brien Flying Service Inc., of Iowa, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. No flight plan was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the operator, the airplane was operating from a 2,300 foot long grass airstrip locally known as Robertson's strip. Prior to takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 1,600 pounds of fertilizer to be applied on local rice fields. The pilot stated in a telephonic interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, that during the takeoff roll to the north, with a 5 to 8 knot crosswind from the west, "the tailwheel would not come up." The pilot added that, as he got closer to the trees at the departure end of the strip, "he started to release some of the load in the 300 gallon hopper in an attempt to get airborne." The pilot further stated that the airplane got airborne, but the impact with the top of the 10 foot high trees decelerated the airplane; subsequently, the main landing gear impacted a 3-foot high rice levee, separating the left main landing gear from the airframe. In the enclosed narrative portion of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot amended his previous statements by stating that after rolling for about 1,900 feet during the takeoff roll, the engine lost power, so he started dumping his load of fertilizer to lighten the aircraft. After becoming airborne, the pilot elected to return to the operator's 3,800 turf airstrip where emergency equipment was standing by. While landing on runway 21, the partially attached right main landing gear separated from the airframe and the airplane skidded on its belly, nosed over, and came to rest in the inverted position. The operator reported that both right wings, the left lower wing, the empennage, and the attaching points for both main landing gear assemblies sustained structural damage. The pilot stated that he estimated that at the time of the accident, the temperature was near the century mark, and the winds were from the west at 5 to 8 knots. The NTSB investigator-in-charge estimated the density altitude at 2,650 feet. The reason for the reported partial loss of engine power could not be determined. The operator stated that takeoff performance data is not available in the current aircraft pilot's operating handbook. He added that his son had been flying a similar airplane loaded in the same manner along with the accident airplane. He added that if the engine would have not loss power, the accident would have never occurred. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8629H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8629H), registered now, S/N 1438, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1438 - Airframe hours: 9024 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Zoren O'Brien - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1998, 133 hours before - Departed: LA71 - Airport: NONE, Robertson'S Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,042 total, 508 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CWF, 15 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 19980529046369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980529046369A), May 29, 1998: Scwzer G164A, Iowa, LA, Substantial damage. (.4)Before takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 1,600 pounds of fertilizer to be applied on local rice fields. The pilot initiated a takeoff on a 2,300 foot… ## Other investigations on N8629H (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 FTW92LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA137), May 15, 1992: Grumman G-164A (N8629H), Kinder, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT BRAKE WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH TERRAIN IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. - [NTSB FTW79FRD35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRD35), May 16, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N8629H), Basile, 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.