# NTSB LAX91LA095: Schweizer G-164B, N3633B, Yuba City, CA, February 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1991, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Yuba City, CA
- Coordinates: 39.049457, -121.610954 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0495&lon=-121.6110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27110
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27110/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA095

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NO. 5 CYLINDER DUE TO FATIGUE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE WET TERRAIN AND CROPS.

## 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 - turn to reverse direction
  - single engine aircraft
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION OVER THE RICE CROPS.  WHEN HE WAS NEGOTIATING A 90/270 DEGREE REVERSAL TURN FOR ANOTHER AERIAL APPLICATION THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER DURING THE LANDING ROLL DUE TO THE WET RICE FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. 5 CYLINDER CRACKED DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3633B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 775B
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Onstott Dusters Inc.
- Registered owner: Onstott Dusters Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1990, 442 hours before
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 8,000 total, 4,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19910209001929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910209001929A), Feb 9, 1991: Scwzer G164B, Yuba City, CA, Substantial damage. Blew a cylinder on pullup from a spray run. Nosed over landing in a rice field.

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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