# NTSB LAX91LA413: Grumman G164A-450, N16SS, Queen Creek, AZ, September 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 28, 1991, 22:30 local (Sep 29, 1991, 05:30 UTC)
- Place: Queen Creek, AZ
- Location: 33.2487° N, 111.6343° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Queen Creek, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2487&lon=-111.6343&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA413
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA413

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER, PRODUCING A LOSS OF POWER.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOCATION OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH NEXT TO THE LANDING AREA AND A DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering - aerial application
  - single engine aircraft (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL SPRAYING OPERATIONS OVER A COTTON FIELD AT NIGHT.  WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SPRAY RUN, THE PILOT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE.  HE ATTEMPTED TO GAIN ALTITUDE AS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER.  THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD NEXT TO THE FIELD.  DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.  THE AIRPLANE THEN BOUNCED AND NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES.  AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A CYLINDER HAD A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEPARATION NEAR THE TOP OF THE COOLING FINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16SS-2012-07-09), registration cancelled 2012-07-09, S/N 1309, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164A-450
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1309
- Airframe hours: 4387
- Engines: P&W R985AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: K & K Aerial Applicators Inc.
- Registered owner: K & K Aerial Applicators Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1991, 267 hours before
- Departed: NONE, QUEEN CREEK, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,182 total, 4,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910928043699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910928043699A), Sep 28, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Queen Creek, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine blew a jug during a night spray run and lost power. Tried to land on a road. Hit a ditch and nosed over.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.