# NTSB LAX96LA299: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8598H, Caruthers, CA, August 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1996, 07:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Caruthers, CA - Coordinates: 36.520771, -119.869369 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5208&lon=-119.8694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA299 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power due to the failure of a cylinder. The road's soft surface was a factor. ## 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, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he took off and flew for about 1/8 mile. During the flight the engine became very rough, he was unable to maintain altitude, and he made a forced landing on a dirt road. The road had a soft surface, and during rollout the airplane nosed over. The operator reported that the airplane's total time was 9,749 hours, and it was used in agricultural work. The engine had been operated for 750 hours since last being overhauled. The No. 3 cylinder head had failed upon separating from the barrel. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1996, at 0750 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N8598H, owned and operated by Kennys Crop Dusting, Inc., experienced a partial loss of engine power while cruising about 1 mile south of Caruthers, California. The pilot made a forced landing on a soft dirt road, and the airplane nosed over during rollout. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the work related (positioning) flight, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received a minor injury. The flight originated from Caruthers at 0749. According to the pilot, the engine became very rough after he took off and flew for about 1/8 mile. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot made a forced landing. According to the operator, the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine had been operated for 750 hours since last being overhauled. The restricted category airplane had a total time of 9,749 hours, and it was used in agricultural work. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The FAA reported that the engine's No. 3 cylinder head had failed. It was found separated from the barrel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8598H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8598H-2024-06-15), registration cancelled 2024-06-15, S/N 1429, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1429 - Airframe hours: 9749 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kennys Crop Dusting, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1996, 36 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19960808021619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960808021619A), Aug 8, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Caruthers, CA, Substantial damage. Partial power loss on positioning flight. Landed on road. NR3 cylinder head separated from cylinder barrel. ## Other investigations on N8598H (4) 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 WPR15LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA194), Jun 21, 2015: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A (N8598H), Five Points, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s improper reassembly of the engine during overhaul, which led to the failure of the supercharger-blower due to a lack of lubrication and the subsequent total loss of engine… - [NTSB LAX81FVA55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA55), Jul 23, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N8598H), Caruthers, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK78FVA72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVA72), Aug 11, 1978: Grumman G-164A (N8598H), Selma, CA, destroyed - [NTSB OAK76DVA91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVA91), Sep 22, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N8598H), Easton, 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. --- 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.