# NTSB LAX92LA028: Grumman G-164, N664U, Pauma, CA, October 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1991, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Pauma, CA
- Location: 33.3189° N, 116.9606° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pauma, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3189&lon=-116.9606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA028

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A RESTRICTED FUEL TANK VENT LINE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT.  HE LANDED ON A GOLF COURSE AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT.  RESPONDING FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THEY EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT ON THE ACCIDENT SITE AND FOUND NO FUEL IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS.  HOWEVER, A FUEL LINE WAS RUPTURED NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE FUSELAGE.  AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND FOUND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO A PARTIALLY BLOCKED FUEL VENT LINE, WHICH PREVENTED THE FUEL TANK FROM PROPERLY VENTING TO THE ATMOSPHERE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N664U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N664U), registered now, S/N 400, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (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: 400
- Airframe hours: 2560
- Engines: JACOBS R-755A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 137
- Operator: Gene Ferguson
- Registered owner: Gene Ferguson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1991, 45 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,558 total, 75 in this make and model, 6,953 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19911028048539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911028048539A), Oct 28, 1991: Scwzer G164, Pauma, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit due fuel starvation. Landing on golf course struck trees. Fuel tank vent line believed the problem.

## Other investigations on N664U (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 SEA75FTA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75FTA05), Jul 25, 1974: Grumman G-164 (N664U), Baker, MT, 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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