# NTSB MIA97LA146: Grumman G-164B, N6601Q, Ackerman, MS, April 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1997, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Ackerman, MS - Coordinates: 33.310977, -89.169494 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3110&lon=-89.1695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38269 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38269/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA146 ## Probable cause installation of an incorrect fuel filter in the fuel tanker, which allowed water-contaminated fuel being dispensed into the aircraft, subsequent partial loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb, and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - airport facilities,fuel storage - inadequate (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper (cause) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate (cause) - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated he was in the initial climb after takeoff, at about 400 feet, when he experienced a partial loss of engine power. He was forced to land in an area with trees, and subsequently, the airplane was damaged. Examination of the airplane fuel system revealed water contamination. Examination of the refueling source (fuel tanker trailer/auger truck), revealed contaminated fuel (water). This was the result of an improper fuel filter being installed in the tanker trailer, which had been provided by the fuel filter supplier. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1997, about 1300 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6601Q, registered to Payne's Flying Service, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, experienced a partial loss of engine power during initial takeoff climb in the vicinity of Ackerman, Mississippi, and crashed during a forced landing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The flight originated from Ackerman, Mississippi, about 3 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he was "hot refueled", (refueled with the engine running), and did not drain the fuel sumps before departing. While on climbout at about 400 feet he experienced a noticeable decrease in engine torque and engine noise. The airplane began to lose attitude. He made a May Day call on company frequency. There were no suitable landing areas available, and a forced landing was made into the trees and terrain. According to the President of Payne's Flying Service, Inc., they were working out of a remote site in Newton, Mississippi, and were refueling the airplane from a tanker trailer with four compartments. Refueling is started from the first compartment aft to the rear compartment. The tanker trailer should be parked on level ground. If the nose of the tanker is low, it will catch the water and dirt and transfer it to the first compartment. The tanker trailer was moved and when relocated, it was not level. During the same time period, several weather fronts passed through with heavy rain, and the tanker trailer was resupplied with fuel. On the day of the accident, the auger truck that was supplying N6601Q with fuel, had to be refueled. It obtained its fuel from the tanker trailer. N6601Q was the first airplane to be refueled by the auger truck. After the accident, the pilot informed him that he thought he had a fuel problem. He instructed company personnel to check the tanker trailer, auger truck, and the other company airplane. All fuel systems were contaminated. Examination of the tanker trailer revealed that the incorrect fuel filter had been installed which was provided by the filter supplier in Jackson, Mississippi. Examination of the airplane fuel system revealed contaminated fuel in the primary fuel filter and fuel container at the engine fire wall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6601Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6601Q-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 128B, 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: 128B - Airframe hours: 5443 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-1-1S1 665 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Payne'S Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: AAIP, March 17, 1997, 272 hours before - Departed: 9M4, MS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,423 total, 1,643 in this make and model, 4,350 as pilot in command, 456 in the last 90 days, 158 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 11 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GWO, 46 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 19970421012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970421012109A), Apr 21, 1997: Scwzer G164B, Ackerman, MS, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Crashed in trees. Found water in fuel and at source also. Heavy rain overnite. (-23) loaded airplane with fertilizer and fuel. Plane… ## Other investigations on N6601Q (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 DEN08LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA106), Jun 18, 2008: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N6601Q), O'Kean, AR, destroyed. Probable cause: An inadvertent accelerated stall. Contributing factors in this accident were the low airspeed, steep angle of bank, and heavy weight. 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.