# NTSB LAX96LA124: Schweizer G-164B, N6674Q, Tracy, CA, February 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 1996, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.729335, -121.419113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7293&lon=-121.4191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29381/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA124 ## Probable cause overheating and failure of the engine's master rod and master rod bearing due to oil starvation. A factor relating to the accident was: the lack of suitable terrain for an emergency landing. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,oil - starvation - engine assembly,bearing - overtemperature (cause) - engine assembly,master rod - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was about 1/4 mile from the airport at 50 feet in the initial climb, when the engine began a severe vibration, then it stopped, abruptly. The pilot selected the only available landing area, which was a muddy field, and the aircraft nosed over during the landing ground roll. Preliminary examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was seized and would not move. Partial disassembly of the engine revealed that it had sustained a catastrophic internal failure. The No. 5 piston (master) was found out of it's respective cylinder, with the connecting rod elongated and bent. The rod end cap was attached on one side and separated on the other. Evidence of heat and stretching was observed near the crankpin area of the rod. The bearing could not be examined due to internal damage of the engine. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 1996, about 1400 hours Pacific standard time, a Schweitzer G-164B, N6674Q, nosed over during a forced landing after takeoff from a private ag strip near Tracy, California. The forced landing was precipitated by a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb. The aircraft was owned and operated by Haley Flying Service, Inc., of Tracy, and was beginning a local area agricultural application mission. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was about 1/4 mile from the airport at 50 feet in the initial climb when the engine began to vibrate severely and then abruptly stopped. The pilot selected the only available landing area, which was a muddy field, and the aircraft nosed over during the landing ground roll. Preliminary examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was seized and would not move. The engine was then removed from the aircraft and shipped to an overhaul facility, Aero Engines, Los Angeles, California, where it was disassembled under the supervision of an FAA inspector from the Los Angles Flight Standards District Office. The report of the examination disclosed that the engine sustained a catastrophic internal failure and even partial disassembly was extremely difficult. The No. 5 piston (master) was found out of it's respective cylinder, with the connecting rod elongated and wrapped around the crankshaft. The rod end cap was attached on one side and separated on the other. Evidence of heat and stretching was observed near the crankpin area of the rod. The bearing was not observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6674Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6674Q-2012-07-20), registration cancelled 2012-07-20, S/N 196B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 196B - Airframe hours: 7449 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Haley Flying Service, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1996, 50 hours before - Airport: Haley Ag Strip, runway 26, 2,500 × 30 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 21,000 total, 17,000 in this make and model, 20,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960221003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960221003429A), Feb 21, 1996: Scwzer G164B, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. On departure, engine severly vibrateing 50 feet in air, then stopped, landed in a muddy field, nosed over. ## Other investigations on N6674Q (2) 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 SEA83LA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA206), Sep 28, 1983: Grumman G-164B (N6674Q), Selah, WA, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA83LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA063), Mar 16, 1983: Grumman 164B (N6674Q), Toppenish, WA, 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. --- 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.