# NTSB LAX94LA213: Schweizer G-164B, N3629E, Gridley, CA, May 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1994, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Gridley, CA - Coordinates: 39.349185, -121.759689 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3492&lon=-121.7597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28736 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28736/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA213 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power due to a cracked engine cylinder head. ## 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 - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The aircraft operator reported that the pilot was spraying seeds in a farm field when the engine failed. The pilot attempted to land in a nearby field and collided with a canal ditch. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a crack in the number 8 cylinder head from one spark plug hole to the other spark plug hole. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1994, at 1135 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G- 164B, N3629E, collided with a canal ditch near Gridley, California, during a forced landing attempt. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power. The aircraft was operated by Williams AG Service, Inc., of Biggs, California, and was engaged in aerial application operations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated from the Jones AG airstrip at Biggs about 1115 hours on the day of the accident. In a telephone interview, the owner of Williams AG Service, Inc., stated that the pilot was spraying seeds in a farm field when the engine failed. The pilot attempted to land in a nearby field and collided with a canal ditch. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed a crack in the number 8 cylinder head from one spark plug hole to the other spark plug hole. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3629E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3629E-2023-05-16), registration cancelled 2023-05-16, S/N 744B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 744B - Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Williams Ag Service, Inc. - Registered owner: Haley'S Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1994, 63 hours before - Departed: CL23, BIGGS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 12,000 in this make and model, 19,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °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 19940508010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940508010319A), May 8, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Gridley, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power spraying. Collided with canal ditch landing. NR8 cylinder had cracked from one spark plug hole to other. ## Other investigations on N3629E (3) 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 WPR18LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA113), Mar 27, 2018: Schweizer G 164B (N3629E), Stockton, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. - [NTSB SEA03LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA086), May 16, 2003: Grumman G-164B (N3629E), Basin City, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the torque sensor idler gear duplex bearing during agricultural aerial application, resulting in a total power loss and a forced landing. Factors include tall wheat and soft terrain. - [NTSB LAX00LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA278), Jul 26, 2000: Schweizer G-164B (N3629E), Tracy, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. 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.