# NTSB FTW98LA258: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N5087, Lazbuddie, TX, June 6, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 1998, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Lazbuddie, TX - Coordinates: 34.389633, -102.610908 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3896&lon=-102.6109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20640/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA258 ## 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, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence ## Analysis During the first swath run to apply fertilizer to a corn field, the pilot made a pull-up. After making a turn to the left, the engine began to lose power for an undetermined reason. The pilot 'gave full throttle and leveled the wings.' The engine did not respond, so he initiated a forced landing to a wheat field. During the landing roll, the aircraft went through a fence, did a 'cartwheel,' and came to a stop upright in a cotton field. An examination of the engine was not able to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 1998, at 1100 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schwiezer G-164A agricultural airplane, N5087, operated by Russell Spraying, Inc., of Lazbuddie, Texas, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Lazbuddie, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from the Russell Spraying airstrip, Clays Corner, Texas, about 15 minutes prior to the accident. The 795 hour pilot reported that he was dispensing fertilizer onto a corn field. He stated that during the pull-up of his first swath run to the south, and after he made a left turn to the east, the engine began to lose power. He then "gave full throttle and leveled the wings." The engine did not respond to the throttle input, so he initiated a forced landing to a wheat field. During the landing roll, the aircraft went through a fence, did a "cartwheel," and came to a stop upright in a cotton field. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the radial engine separated from the fuselage. The examination of the engine was not able to determine the reason for the loss of engine power. The wings were structurally damaged, both main landing gear were damaged, and the fuselage aft of the cockpit was displaced to the left. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5087](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5087-2001-01-11), registration cancelled 2001-01-11, S/N 1121 (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: 1121 - Airframe hours: 6000 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Russell Spraying, Inc., doing business as Agricultural Operator - Registered owner: Kenneth D. Russell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1998, 61 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 795 total, 545 in this make and model, 795 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19980606012619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980606012619A), Jun 6, 1998: Scwzer G164A, Lazbuddie, TX, Substantial damage. Acft lost power during aerial app and the pilot made an emerg landing in a field. Lazbuddie, TX. (.4) during the first swath run to apply fertilizer to a corn… ## Other investigations on N5087 (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 FTW80DPG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DPG36), Jun 13, 1980: Grumman G-164 (N5087), Cotton Plant, AR, 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.