Grumman-Schweizer G-164B N6816Q accident, Edison, GA, Jul 31, 2001 · NTSB MIA01LA204

Probable cause

Partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff resulting in the airplane descending, colliding with the ground, and nosing over.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine powerTakeoff - initial climb

Reason for occurrence undeterminedCause

In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - emergency

Terrain condition - crop

Nose overLanding

Analysis

The pilot stated the takeoff was normal with the airplane accelerating normally and producing power. Once the main tires cleared the ground, he heard 3 short backfire sounds followed by a loss of engine rpm. He tried to make a slow right hand turn to attempt a landing on a field road. He decided not to continue straight ahead because of trees. The airplane was losing forward speed and altitude as he continued the right turn. Before he could dump the load of 135 gallons of chemical the airplane stalled. The left main landing gear struck the ground first followed by a nose over with the airplane on its back at final rest. Postcrash examination of the airplane was conducted by an FAA inspector. The inspector stated that damage to the propeller blades showed the engine was running at substantial power on contact with soil in the field.

Factual narrative

On July 31, 2001, about 1805 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6816Q, registered to an individual, crashed while attempting a forced landing following loss of engine power during takeoff at Edison, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated the takeoff was normal with the airplane accelerating normally and producing power. Once the main tires cleared the ground, he heard 3 short backfire sounds followed by a loss of engine rpm. He tried to make a slow right hand turn to attempt a landing on a field road. He decided not to continue straight ahead because of trees. The airplane was losing forward speed and altitude as he continued the right turn. Before he could dump the load of 135 gallons of chemical the airplane stalled. The left main landing gear struck the ground first followed by a nose over with the airplane on its back at final rest.

Postcrash examination of the airplane was conducted by an FAA inspector. The inspector stated the engine showed evidence of running at substantial power on contact with soil in the field. The propeller blades were bent in the direct that would prove without a doubt that there was no obvious problem with the engine. The inspector stated the winds had been gusting to 30 to 40 knots that day and the pilot had taken off downwind with a full load of fuel and chemical. (See FAA Inspector Statement)

Aircraft

Registration: N6816Q
Reported as: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
Category: Airplane
Serial number: 320B
Airframe hours: 6,674
Engine: P&W R985, 450 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Aerial application · Part 137
Registered owner: Tommy A. Owen
Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection: Annual · May 1, 2001 · 105 hours before
Departed: Edison, GA
Airport: runway 270, 2,200 × 50 ft, grass/turf

N6816QRegistration cancelled Mar 6, 2002 · Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164BS/N 320B · Built 1977 Airframe modelGrumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B Engine modelPratt & Whitney R1340 seriesReciprocating

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 32
Injuries: Minor
Certificate: Commercial
Airplane ratings: Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings: Airplane
Last flight review: July 12, 2000
Seat: Center
Flight hours: 2,735 total · 1,470 in this make and model · 2,590 as pilot in command · 145 in the last 90 days · 140 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: 80° at 12 knots
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling: None
Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
Observed at: ABY, 35 nm away

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20010731025859AN6816Q · Edison, GA(-23) Pilot stated he took on fuel and tanked for second flight, taxied out take off roll rotation and engine backfired two or three times and quit. Negotiated steep turn to miss trees to land on road, aircraft stalled after turn, nosed down sustaining…Jul 31, 2001 · N6816Q · No damage

Other investigations on N6816Q · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB MIA97LA190Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportEdwards, MSfailure of the distributor drive gear in the right magneto, resulting in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.Jun 20, 1997 · Substantial damage NTSB ATL94LA104Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMemphis, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the earthen dike during the swath run.May 20, 1994 · Substantial damage