# NTSB LAX00LA345: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N8981H, Tracy, CA, September 22, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 2000, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Location: 37.7274° N, 121.4522° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tracy, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7274&lon=-121.4522&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA345

## Probable cause

Loss of engine power due to failure and separation of the number one connecting rod.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot of the agricultural application aircraft reported that the aircraft's engine lost power during a turnaround maneuver, and, during the ensuing forced landing, the aircraft rolled through a muddy bog and nosed over.  Postaccident examination revealed that the number 1 connecting rod failed.

## Factual narrative

On September 22, 2000, at 0750 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N8981H, was substantially damaged when the aircraft nosed over inverted during an off-airport forced landing near Tracy, California.  The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power.  The certificated commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, which was operated by Trinkle and Boys Agri Flying, Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137.  No flight plan was filed for the flight that departed from a private airstrip near Tracy at 0740.

The pilot reported that the aircraft's engine lost power, and, during the ensuing forced landing, the aircraft rolled through a muddy bog and nosed over.  Postaccident examination revealed that the number 1 connecting rod failed.  The engine time in service since overhaul was 721 hours.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8981H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8981H-2013-09-11), registration cancelled 2013-09-11, S/N 4B, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 48
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Trinkle And Boys Agri Fly'G
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 589 total, 120 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 147 °F, dew point 142 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 16 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 20000922015559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000922015559A), Sep 22, 2000: Scwzer G164B, Tracy, CA, No damage. (-23) Making his second to last pass during agricultural aerial application, the pilot pulled up out of the field. He rolled to the left then started to roll…

## Other investigations on N8981H (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 LAX06LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA169), May 15, 2006: Grumman G-164B (N8981H), Tracy, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: loss of power for undetermined reasons.

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.

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