# NTSB LAX00LA162: Schweizer G-164B, N3629F, Lodi, CA, April 20, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 20, 2000, 06:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Lodi, CA - Coordinates: 38.110363, -121.159843 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1104&lon=-121.1598&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49001 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49001/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA162 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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 - terrain condition - short runway/landing area - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis During a positioning flight while the pilot was flying toward an auxiliary strip, the engine lost all power, surged to full power, and then quit completely. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a short field and on approach, the airplane collided with a berm and nosed over. During the subsequent examination, 45 gallons of fuel was found in the center fuel tank. No evidence was observed of any mechanical problems with the airframe or engine. The airplane's total time was about 13,085 hours since new. The current engine was installed in 1997, and its total time was about 8,180 hours (1,237 hours since last major overhaul). An FAA airworthiness inspector responded to the accident site and examined the airplane. No evidence was observed of any mechanical problems with the airframe. The engine and damaged engine-related accessories were examined, with no anomalies found. The carburetor was observed destroyed in the impact and was not functionally testable. No evidence of any internal mechanical malfunction was found within the engine or testable accessories and the engine was returned to service. ## Factual narrative On April 20, 2000, about 0620 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3629F, owned and operated by Haley's Flying Service, Inc., Tracy, California, experienced a total loss of engine power during a positioning flight near Lodi, California. The commercial pilot made a forced landing in a field, collided with a concrete drainage ditch, and nosed over. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot sustained a minor injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was performed under 14 CFR 91, and it originated from Tracy, California, about 0615. The pilot reported that he was flying about 800 feet above the ground. He was heading toward an auxiliary strip when the engine lost all power, surged to full power, and then quit completely. The pilot attempted to land in a nearby small field but was 10 to 15 feet short and impacted the dirt berm. The airplane's logbook indicated that it had a total time of about 13,085 hours since new. This current engine was installed in 1997. It had a total time of about 8,180 hours, and 1,237 since last major overhaul. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector responded to the accident site and examined the airplane. No evidence was observed of any mechanical problems with the airframe. The ignition and "P" lead were found to be operational in field testing. About 45 gallons of fuel were observed in the center main fuel tank. The engine and damaged engine-related accessories were subsequently examined. The carburetor was observed destroyed in the impact and was not functionally testable. The operator verbally reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that no evidence of any internal mechanical malfunction was found within the engine, and it was returned to service. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3629F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3629F-2023-06-10), registration cancelled 2023-06-10, S/N 745B, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 745B - Airframe hours: 13085 - Engines: P&W R-1340-ANI 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Haley'S Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 10, 2000, 83 hours before - Departed: TCY, TRACY, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 14,300 total, 12,100 in this make and model, 14,300 as pilot in command, 357 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 118 °F, dew point 115 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SCK, 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 20000420008459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000420008459A), Apr 20, 2000: Scwzer G164B, Lodi, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft experienced engine failure during flight, aircraft had full load of fuel and was 15 minutes into flight when engine sputtered and quit. Engine… ## Other investigations on N3629F (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 WPR21LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA299), Jul 30, 2021: Schweizer G-164B (N3629F), Tracy, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of thrust during a low-level agricultural application flight, which resulted in a descent and impact with terrain. The reason for the loss of thrust could not be determined based on available… 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.