# NTSB LAX88DVG03: Schweizer G-164B, N3627Q, Gridley, CA, May 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1988, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gridley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.349887, -121.760704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3499&lon=-121.7607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG03

## 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 - aerial application
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING AN AGRICULTURAL OPERATION, THE ENGINE QUIT AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED ON A DIRT FIELD AND NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR TEETH WERE MISSING AND THE RIGHT MAGNETO DRIVE GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3627Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3627Q), registered now, S/N 730 B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: 730B
- Airframe hours: 1913
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Sutter Butte Dusters
- Registered owner: Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1988, 93 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 18,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 17,900 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 20 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 19880502012169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880502012169A), May 2, 1988: Scwzer G164B, Gridley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failure on low level agricultural operation. Forced landing in a field. Hit a 3 foot levee and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N3627Q (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 LAX94LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA299), Jul 27, 1994: Schweizer G-164B (N3627Q), Live Oak, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the improper adjustment of the fuel control unit by contract maintenance personnel.

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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