# NTSB FTW98LA275: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N3632S, Hazen, AR, June 19, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1998, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Hazen, AR - Coordinates: 34.779445, -91.570884 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7794&lon=-91.5709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20655 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA275 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20655/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA275 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute 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, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed the airport to chemically treat a nearby rice field. He stated that 'everything went normally as he flew the field'. Upon pulling up after the last pass, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. During the ensuing forced landing the pilot was not able to get the airplane to an open field and the airplane landed in landed in the trees. A seven-inch portion of one of the propeller blades was found approximately 300 yards from the resting place of the airplane. Examination of the fractured propeller tip revealed features typical of overstress shear separation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1997, at 0630 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, agricultural airplane, N3632S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following the loss of engine power, while maneuvering near Hazen, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was operated by Hazen Flying Service, Inc., of Hazen, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The local flight originated from the Hazen Municipal Airport at 0600. The 9,500 hour pilot reported that he departed the Hazen Airport to chemically treat nearby rice fields. He stated that "everything went normally as he flew over the field". He added that, upon pulling up after the last aerial application pass, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. During the pilot's attempt to get the turbine powered biplane to an open field for a forced landing, the aircraft "ran out of altitude and airspeed and landed in the trees". During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane impacted in a heavily wooded area, coming to rest amidst trees approximately 20 feet above the ground in a 60 degree right wing low attitude. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that all 4 wings sustained structural damage. The propeller spinner did not show any evidence of rotational damage. A 7-inch portion from one of the propeller tips was found approximately 300 yards from the wreckage's resting place. The Hartzell 3-bladed propeller, model HC-B3TN-3D, serial number BUA19065 was installed new on the airplane on October 5, 1994. According the information found in the aircraft maintenance records, the 550 horsepower Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 turbine engine (serial number PCE52208), had accumulated a total of 5,510 hours, with 2,051 hours since its last overhaul. The engine was last inspected 141 hours prior to the accident. The fractured propeller tip was shipped to the NTSB Materiel Laboratories for metallurgical evaluation and examination. The metallurgical examination of the fracture revealed "features typical of an overstress sheer separation." The report (copy enclosed) further states that "no evidence of fatigue cracking or other type of preexisting fracture areas was noted." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3632S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3632S-2000-01-06), registration cancelled 2000-01-06, S/N 771B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 771B - Airframe hours: 4811 - Engines: P&W PT6A-28 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bill W. Hoffman, doing business as Hazen Flying Service - Registered owner: Hoffman Aero, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1998, 43 hours before - Departed: 6MO ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,500 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 9,400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 2 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19980619047109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980619047109A), Jun 19, 1998: Scwzer G164B, Hazen, AR, No damage. (-23) On June 19, 1998, at 0630 CDT, a Grumman Schweizer G-164B, agricultural airplane, N3632S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following… 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.