# NTSB LAX02LA216: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N3631B, Sacramento, CA, July 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 2002, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.741943, -121.538055 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7419&lon=-121.5381&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 17, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Aviation Safety Inspector - NTSB case key (mKey): 55152 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA216 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55152/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55152 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA216 ## Probable cause Propeller blade failure due to fatigue. A contributing factor was the rising embankment. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor) ## Analysis After taking off and initiating a left turn at an altitude of approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot heard a "loud bang and a sharp jolt as the airplane began shaking violently." The pilot leveled the wings and reduced power; however, the vibration did not subside. He then initiated a shallow right turn in order to land on a road. "As I began to maneuver for landing I saw a burst of flame from the exhaust and heard the engine quit and felt the aircraft settle." The airplane impacted a levee and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. During post-accident investigation of the wreckage, it was noted that the outboard section of one propeller blade was missing. The inboard section of the Hamilton Standard propeller blade was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory Division for examination. It was reported that the blade was fractured approximately 26 to 27 inches from the butt end. Optical examination of the fracture face found features consistent with fatigue progression over the majority of the fracture. Closer examinations revealed beach marks and other progression features indicating fatigue initiation at a mechanical dent on the camber surface near midspan. Further examination indicated that fatigue accounted for approximately 70% of the total fracture area. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2002, at 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane, N3631B, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain near Sacramento, California. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Farm Air Flying Service, Sacramento, California, under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Sacramento at 0928. As reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot had been applying fertilizer for about 2 hours. After taking off with a 2,000 pound load and initiating a left turn at an altitude of approximately 15 feet agl, the pilot reported hearing a "loud bang and a sharp jolt as the airplane began shaking violently." The pilot stated that he leveled the wings and reduced power; "however, the vibration did not subside." He then initiated a shallow right turn in order to land on a road. "As I began to maneuver for landing I saw a burst of flame from the exhaust and heard the engine quit and felt the aircraft settle." The airplane impacted a levee and flipped over, coming to rest inverted. It was reported by the operator that both wing spars, the rudder, and vertical stabilizer had sustained structural damage. Both main landing gear and the engine had separated from the airplane. During post-accident investigation of the wreckage, it was noted that the outboard section of one propeller blade was missing. The inboard section of the Hamilton Standard propeller blade, P/N AG200-2 Chg B, S/N 76500, was sent to the NTSB Materials Laboratory Division, Washington, D.C., for examination. The Senior Metallurgist reported the blade was fractured approximately 26 to 27 inches from the butt end. Optical examination of the fracture face found features consistent with fatigue progression over the majority of the fracture. Closer examinations revealed beach marks and other progression features indicating fatigue initiation at a mechanical dent on the camber surface near midspan. Further examination indicated that fatigue accounted for approximately 70% of the total fracture area. Refer to attachment, Report No. 02-103. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3631B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3631B-2004-09-27), registration cancelled 2004-09-27, S/N 762B, built 1984 (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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 762B - Airframe hours: 10600 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Farm Air Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2002, 95 hours before - Departed: Sacramento, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 18, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 8,100 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 8,044 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: SMF, 5 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 20020706022359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020706022359A), Jul 6, 2002: Scwzer G164B, Destroyed. (-23) Aircraft departed a dirt agricultural airstrip north of elverta rd. and highway 99. The pilot started a left turn when he heard a loud "bang" from the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 24, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55152. 1.2 MB in all. - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 02-103 (item 1, .PDF, 3 photos, 883 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40172061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2002-103-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 312 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.