# NTSB LAX86LA029: Schweizer G-164B, N8487K, Gila Bend, AZ, October 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1985, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.989753, -112.90055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9898&lon=-112.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25008
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25008/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA029

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER SPRAYING A FIELD AND WHILE ENROUTE TO THE LANDING SITE, THE ACFT ENGINE BACKFIRED FOLLOWED BY A RAPID LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT NEGOTIATED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A PRIVATE DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRCRAFT LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE CAUSING THE ACFT TO FLIP OVER ONTO ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF FAILURE. THE CARBURETOR SCREEN, BOWL AND THE MAIN FUEL LINES WERE FREE OF ANY CONTAMINATES. THE GASCOLATOR CONTAINED A LARGE AMOUNT OF MUDDY WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8487K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8487K-1988-10-25), registration cancelled 1988-10-25, S/N 691B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 691B
- Airframe hours: 1194
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Pierce Aviation
- Registered owner: R. O. Bowles Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1985, 148 hours before
- Departed: YUMA, AZ
- Airport: GBN, Gila Bend

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,258 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 3,258 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: E63, 23 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 19851028054419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851028054419A), Oct 28, 1985: Scwzer G164B, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed on a road and struck trees after engine power loss. Water, dirt, found in gascolator. No other discrepancy

## Other investigations on N8487K (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 LAX88DVG05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG05), Jun 20, 1988: Schweizer G-164B (N8487K), Gridley, CA, destroyed

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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