# NTSB LAX95LA091: Grumman G-164B, N705Y, Pixley, CA, February 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 1, 1995, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Pixley, CA - Coordinates: 35.950096, -119.310302 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9501&lon=-119.3103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29019 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29019/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA091 ## Probable cause the total failure of the number three cylinder. The wet and soft terrain were factors in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis AFTER COMPLETING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY RUN, THE PILOT EXECUTED A CLIMBING 90/270-DEGREE TURN. DURING THE TURN, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A WET, FRESHLY-PLOWED OPEN FIELD AND SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER. THE POSTACCIDENT ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALED THE NUMBER THREE CYLINDER WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE SPARK PLUGS. ## Factual narrative On February 1, 1995, at 1545 hours Pacific standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N705Y, flipped over in an open muddy field after executing an emergency landing near Pixley, California. The emergency landing was preceded by a loss of engine power. The pilot was conducting a Title 14 CFR 137 visual flight rules local aerial application flight. The airplane, operated by Pixley Dusters, Inc., of Earlimart, California, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from the operator's private airstrip at Earlimart at 1530 hours. The operator told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector that when the pilot was executing a 90/270-degree climbing turn, the engine's number three cylinder cracked. The pilot landed the airplane in the soft field, but flipped over shortly after touchdown. An FAA inspector reported that he found the cylinder split between each of the spark plugs. It was also split at the top of the plug to the exhaust valve. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N705Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N705Y), registered now, S/N 315 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 315 - Airframe hours: 13657 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Pixley Dusters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1994, 36 hours before - Departed: EARLIMART, CA - Destination: CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 11,812 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 11,750 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 345° at 2 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 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 19950201001009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950201001009A), Feb 1, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Pixley, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on procedure turn. Landed in muddy field. Nosed over. NR3 cylinder cracked. Split between igniter holes. ## Other investigations on N705Y (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 OAK70D0118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70D0118), Sep 16, 1969: Grumman G-164 (N705Y), Firebaugh, CA, destroyed 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.