# NTSB MIA94LA218: Grumman G-164B, N48572, Greenwood, MS, September 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1994, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, MS
- Location: 33.5125° N, 90.1990° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Greenwood, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5125&lon=-90.1990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37607
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37607/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA218

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER DECISION OF THE PILOT TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO AN UNPREPARED FIELD DUE TO A SUPERCHARGER SHAFT FAILURE.

## 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, maneuvering
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT NOTED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AND DUMPED HIS CHEMICAL LOAD. HE THEN ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AN UNPREPARED FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE SUPERCHARGER SHAFT HAD FAILED RESULTING IN THE ENGINE POWER OUTPUT BEING REDUCED TO THAT OF A NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 1994, about 1715 central daylight time, N48572, a Grumman G-164B, registered to Barham Brothers Inc. crashed near Greenwood, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot reported no injuries. The flight had originated from a local dirt road about 15 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated that when he added power the rpm increased but the manifold pressure did not. He dumped his chemical load and attempted a forced landing to a plowed field. During landing roll the airplane flipped inverted. Examination of the engine by local FAA personnel revealed that the supercharger shaft and bearing had failed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48572](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48572-2012-12-07), registration cancelled 2012-12-07, S/N 83B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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: 83B
- Airframe hours: 7193
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Barham Brothers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 1993, 205 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 725 total, 420 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 20 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 19940929032419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940929032419A), Sep 29, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Greenwood, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power on a spray run. Dumped load. Nosed over landing. Supercharger shaft bearing failed.

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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