# NTSB FTW98LA410: Grumman G-164A, N983X, Mart, TX, September 25, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 25, 1998, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Mart, TX - Coordinates: 31.54004, -96.829429 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5400&lon=-96.8294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44033 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA410 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44033/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA410 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. 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, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - fence ## Analysis The commercial pilot executed a forced landing following a complete loss of engine power while en route back to the operators private airstrip. The airplane was flying at 300 feet AGL, seven to eight miles northeast of the operator's airstrip, when the engine made a 'loud pop and began to vibrate very severely.' Three to four seconds elapsed and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane came to rest upright, on a fence. The engine logbooks were reviewed and no entries were found that would have contributed to a loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could be determined. ## Factual narrative On September 25, 1998, at 1110 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A agricultural airplane, N983X, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near, Mart, Texas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by Aggie Air Flying Services of Mart, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight was filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Mart, Texas, at 1017. The pilot and operator reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that the pilot dispensed 180 gallons of sevin, a pesticide, near Coolidge, Texas, and initiated the return flight to the operator's private airstrip near Mart. The tail wheel equipped airplane was seven to eight miles northeast of Mart, flying at 300 feet AGL, when the engine made "a loud pop and began to vibrate very severely." Three to four seconds elapsed and the engine lost power. The pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the airplane touched down 350 feet short of a five strand barbed wire fence. The pilot stated that he applied right rudder to direct the airplane away from the fence. Subsequently, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright on the fence. The 39 years old pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 4,000 flight hours, of which 2,500 hours were in the G-164A airplane. Furthermore, the pilot reported that he had accumulated a total of 180 hours in the last 90 days. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft and confirmed that the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing, including the spar, was buckled. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N983X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N983X-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 497, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (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: 497 - Airframe hours: 8362 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: William N. Hurley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1998, 155 hours before - Departed: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 180 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ACT, 20 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 19980925026749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980925026749A), Sep 25, 1998: Scwzer G164A, Mart, TX, Substantial damage. Acft engine quit at a low altitude during aerial application. (-23) pilot stated that the engine lost power while in cruise. The aircraft struck a fence during… 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.