# NTSB LAX97LA121: Grumman G-164B, N36265, Winters, CA, March 11, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1997, 17:00 local (Mar 11, 1997, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Winters, CA
- Coordinates: 38.559921, -121.990859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5599&lon=-121.9909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA121

## Probable cause

the failure of the engine cylinder head assembly due to operational fatigue.

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

The agricultural airplane was in level flight when the No. 1 engine cylinder head separated from the cylinder barrel. The airplane landed in a field and nosed over.  Postaccident examination of the cylinder head revealed a fatigue type failure.  The cylinder total operational time was not available.

## Factual narrative

On March 10, 1997, about 1700 hours Pacific standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N36265, operated by Growers Air Service of Woodland, California, was substantially damaged at Winters, California.  The pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the agricultural operation and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, the engine failed during level flight.  The pilot force landed the aircraft in a field and nosed over.  Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 1 engine cylinder sustained a catastrophic failure of the head assembly.  The engine reportedly had 650 hours since major overhaul with an unknown amount of hours on the cylinder assembly since new.  Examination revealed a fatigue type failure.

The operator failed to respond to requests to file a Safety Board form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36265](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N36265), registered now, S/N 725 B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 7368
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Growers Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, CA
- Destination: 6Q8, MEDLOCK FIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 35,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19970311002749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970311002749A), Mar 11, 1997: Scwzer G164B, Winters, CA, Substantial damage. Engine failure. Landed in a field and nosed over. Number one engine cylinder sustained casostropic failure.

## Other investigations on N36265 (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 LAX94LA133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA133), Feb 23, 1994: Schweizer G-164B (N36265), Clarksburg, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE NO. 1 CYLINDER DUE TO FATIGUE RESULTING FROM AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED MIXTURE CAUSING DETONATION. THE SOFT, WET PLOWED FIELD WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

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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