# NTSB LAX08CA228: Schweizer G-164B, N3633B, Alturas, CA, July 13, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2008, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Alturas, CA - Coordinates: 41.330001, -120.544723 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3300&lon=-120.5447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68461 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68461/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA228 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, which resulted from a fuel system contamination and a clogged fuel filter. Contributing to the accident was the rough terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel filter-strainer](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022821/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel contamination](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 225 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/193/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while maneuvering during an agricultural spray flight he felt the turbine engine shudder, and then it continued to operate normally. As a precaution, the pilot discontinued dispensing fertilizer and turned the heavily loaded airplane toward the departure airstrip. Suddenly, the engine shuddered again, and the pilot opted to immediately land in a nearby pasture. All engine power was lost as the airplane approached the field. The pilot made a forced landing on the rough ground and the airplane nosed over during rollout. The operator reported that inspection of the airplane's fuel filter revealed debris or some kind of organism that clogged the fuel filter. The same contaminating material was found in the airplane's fuel tanks. The operator also reported that the airplane had been refueled from a tank truck that was from out of the area. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while maneuvering during an agricultural spray flight he felt the turbine engine shudder, and then it continued to operate normally. As a precaution, the pilot discontinued dispensing fertilizer and turned the heavily loaded airplane toward the departure airstrip. Suddenly, the engine shuddered again, and the pilot opted to immediately land in a nearby pasture. All engine power was lost as the airplane approached the field. The pilot made a forced landing on the rough ground and the airplane nosed over during rollout. The operator reported that upon inspection of the airplane's fuel filter, debris or some kind of organism was observed that clogged the fuel filter. The same contaminating material was found in the airplane's fuel tanks. The operator also reported that the airplane had been refueled from a tank truck that was from out of the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: N3633B (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 775B - Engines: Airesearch TPE-331-2-201 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Macy's Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, Alturas, CA - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 22,357 total, 1,596 in this make and model, 336 in the last 90 days, 153 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20080713852309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080713852309A), Jul 13, 2008: Scwzer G164B, Alturas, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) While performing dry fertilizer aerial application, approximately 11 miles south of Alturas, CA, the engine lost power and the pilot performed an… 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.