# NTSB LAX94LA313: Schweizer G-164-A, N699Y, Laton, CA, August 11, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1994, 09:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Laton, CA
- Coordinates: 36.429641, -119.689193 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4296&lon=-119.6892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA313
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA313

## Probable cause

failure of the No.7 cylinder for an unspecified reason.

## 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
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

DURING A DAY AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE NO.7 ENGINE CYLINDER FAILED. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A COTTON FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.  THE ENGINE HAD 750 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL, AND 100 HOURS SINCE THE LAST INSPECTION.  THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED.

## Factual narrative

On August 11, 1994, at 0954 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164, N699Y, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing near Laton, California.  The pilot was completing a visual flight rules (VFR) local aerial application flight.  The airplane, operated by Trinkle Flying Service, Kingsburg, California, sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at the operator's Kingsburg Flying Service private airstrip at an undetermined time.

The pilot reported that the No.7 cylinder split, resulting in a significant loss of engine power.  He was unable to return to the Kingsburg airstrip, so he landed in a nearby cotton field.  The airplane nosed over in tall cotton.  The engine had 750 flight hours since overhaul, and 100 hours since the last inspection.  The operator did not report why the cylinder failed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N699Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N699Y-2011-10-17), registration cancelled 2011-10-17, S/N 250, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164-A
- 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: 250
- Airframe hours: 13300
- Engines: P&W R-1340AN-1 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mark K. Trinkle, doing business as Trinkle Flying Service
- Registered owner: Mark R. Trinkle
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 16, 1994, 150 hours before
- Departed: KINGSBURG, CA
- Destination: CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19940811027199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940811027199A), Aug 11, 1994: Scwzer G164A, Laton, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power. Collided with obstructions on forced landing. NR7 cylinder split. 100 hours since last inspection.

## Other investigations on N699Y (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 OAK71DVG87](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71DVG87), Jun 8, 1971: Grumman G164 (N699Y), Robbins, CA, 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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