# NTSB LAX85LA270: Grumman G-164, N363Y, Biggs, CA, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Biggs, CA
- Coordinates: 39.420921, -121.670829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4209&lon=-121.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA270

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE LOADING THE ACFT WITH SPRAY MIX HE LOOKED AT HIS FUEL QUANTITY GAGE AND BELIEVED HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR ONE MORE AERIAL APPLICATION FLT. THE PLT CONTINUED TO STATE THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF THE ENGINE QUIT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN A WHEAT FLD. 360 FT AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT HIT A DRAINAGE DITCH AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE PLT STATED ON HIS REPORT TO THE NTSB THAT HE BELIEVED THE FUEL GAGE HAD STUCK, GIVING HIM A FALSE INDICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N363Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N363Y-1992-12-24), registration cancelled 1992-12-24, S/N 209 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 209
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James R. Morris
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1985, 100 hours before
- Departed: RLA, BIGGS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,500 total, 16,002 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850609023919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609023919A), Jun 9, 1985: Scwzer G164, Biggs, CA, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion shortly after lift off. Fuel gauge gave a false reading and fuel not visually inspected on preflight

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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