# NTSB LAX90DVG07: Grumman G-164A, N5368, Gridley, CA, May 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1990, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Gridley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.419681, -121.669548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4197&lon=-121.6695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26575
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26575/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVG07

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NO.7 CYLINDER HEAD WHICH LED TO A FORCED LANDING AND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WHEN IT NOSED OVER AFTER COLLIDING WITH A DITCH.

## 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
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A DITCH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A ROAD AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE NO.7 CYLINDER HAD CRACKED ACROSS THE TOP OF THE CYLINDER HEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5368](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5368), registered now, S/N 648, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 648
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Williams, Clarence E. Rhonda L
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 10, 1990, 74 hours before
- Departed: BIGGS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 7,990 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 7,950 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900508014759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900508014759A), May 8, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Gridley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power during a spray run. Struck ditch and nosed over landing. NR7 cylinder had cracked, caused failure

## Other investigations on N5368 (2)

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 LAX84LA311](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA311), May 23, 1984: Grumman G-164A (N5368), Williams, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX78DA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DA066), Aug 10, 1978: Grumman G-164 (N5368), Pixley, CA, substantial damage

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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