# NTSB MIA01LA204: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6816Q, Edison, GA, July 31, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 2001, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC) - Place: Edison, GA - Coordinates: 31.549999, -84.75 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5500&lon=-84.7500&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 November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52900/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - crop - Nose over, landing ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6816Q-2002-03-06), registration cancelled 2002-03-06, S/N 320B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 320B - Airframe hours: 6674 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010731025859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010731025859A), Jul 31, 2001: Edison, GA, No damage. (-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… ## Other investigations on N6816Q (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 MIA97LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA190), Jun 20, 1997: Schweizer G-164B (N6816Q), Edwards, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure 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. - [NTSB ATL94LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA104), May 20, 1994: Grumman G-164B (N6816Q), Memphis, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE EARTHEN DIKE DURING THE SWATH RUN. 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.