# NTSB LAX00LA261: Grumman G-164A, N897X, Gridley, CA, July 11, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 2000, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Gridley, CA - Coordinates: 39.349224, -121.760711 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3492&lon=-121.7607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49709 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49709/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA261 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to the failure of an exhaust valve during an aerial application flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - berm ## Analysis While maneuvering during an aerial application flight, the pilot heard an unusual engine noise, experienced a loss of engine oil pressure, observed smoke, and lost partial power. The pilot made a precautionary landing on a nearby field road. During rollout, the airplane collided with a dirt berm. An inspection of the engine revealed its No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve head had separated and it broke the cylinder. The engine's total time was estimated at 9,300 hours, and it had been operated about 708.8 hours since last receiving a major overhaul. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 2000, about 1030 hours Pacific daylight time a Grumman G-164A, N897X, operated by Williams Ag Service, Inc., Biggs, California, experienced a partial loss of engine power while maneuvering during an aerial application flight about 2 miles west of Gridley, California. The pilot made a forced landing on a field road. During rollout the airplane collided with a dirt berm and was substantially damaged. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 137, in visual meteorological conditions, and it originated from a nearby field about 1020. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that during his third fertilizer-spraying pass over the field he heard a noise. Thereafter, smoke was observed emanating from the R-1340 engine, and the oil pressure dropped. The pilot indicated that as he descended for the emergency landing the intensity of the smoke substantially increased. The operator reported to the Safety Board investigator that he looked at the engine. He noted its No. 2 cylinder exhaust valve head had separated and it broke the cylinder. The airplane's total time was about 12,245 hours. The engine's total time was estimated at 9,300 hours, and it had been operated about 708.8 hours since last receiving a major overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N897X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N897X), registered now, S/N 419, built 1966 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 419 - Airframe hours: 12245 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Williams Ag Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Clarence Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 2000, 45 hours before - Departed: BIGGS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,813 total, 63 in this make and model, 2,621 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 174 °F, dew point 131 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: OVE, 8 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 20000711008599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000711008599A), Jul 11, 2000: Scwzer G164A, Gridley, CA, No damage. (-23) Ag a/c lost power while working a field, pilot tryed to land at duster strip south of his position but could not maintain altitude, he then tried to land… ## Other investigations on N897X (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 OAK76DVG73](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG73), May 3, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N897X), Marysville, CA, 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.