# NTSB LAX85LA361: Grumman G-164A, N5297, Buckeye, AZ, August 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1985, 21:45 local (Aug 22, 1985, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.37994, -112.550392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3799&lon=-112.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA361
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA361

## 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
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED A SPRAY RUN AND WAS EXECUTING A PROCEDURE TURN WHEN THE ENGINE'S NO. 8 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD FAILED. ENGINE OIL COVERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE DEPARTURE AIRSTRIP BUT HE COULD NOT ALIGN THE ACFT WITH THE DIRT STRIP DUE TO THE PLT FORWARD VISIION BEING OBSTRUCTED. ON TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT WHEELS DUG INTO THE SOFT DIRT AREA CAUSING THE ACFT TO NOSE OVER ONTO ITS BACK. THERE WAS NO POST IMPACT FIRE. THE CONNECTING ROD FRACTURE MODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED; THE FRACTURE SURFACE WAS OBLITERATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5297 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 583
- Airframe hours: 8124
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Paul N. Pierce
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1985, 223 hours before
- Airport: Chatham, runway 27, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,962 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 18,600 as pilot in command, 266 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19850821039919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850821039919A), Aug 21, 1985: Scwzer G164A, Buckeye, AZ, Destroyed. Engine ran rough after spray run. Oil covered windshield. Improperly aligned with runway. Connecting rod failed.

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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