# NTSB LAX91LA364: Grumman G-164, N4663, Wasco, CA, August 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1991, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Wasco, CA
- Coordinates: 35.639495, -119.440124 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6395&lon=-119.4401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA364
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA364

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A FRACTURE OF THE CAMSHAFT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING INTO A SOFT FIELD.

## 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,camshaft - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CAMSHAFT HAD FRACTURED.  THE ENGINE WAS OVERHAULED 1100 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.  TOTAL TIME ON THE TIME ENGINE WAS ABOUT 4218 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4663](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4663-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 1078, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- 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: 1078
- Airframe hours: 5423
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Jack R. James
- Registered owner: Merle D. Hallmark
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 26, 1988

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 330° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19910812035579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910812035579A), Aug 12, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Wasco, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failed during ag operations. Found engines camshaft was fractured.

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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