# NTSB MKC88LA145: Grumman G-164B, N8257K, West Helena, AR, July 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1988, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: West Helena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.540348, -90.640304 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5403&lon=-90.6403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA145

## 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
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID, WHILE ENROUTE TO AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND AN EMERGENCY LDG WAS MADE INTO THE TREES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT AN INTAKE VALVE ON NUMBER 9 CYLINDER HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8257K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 638B
- Airframe hours: 3838
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Planters Ag Aviation
- Registered owner: Planters Ag Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 1988, 368 hours before
- Airport: HEE, West Helena, runway 27, 3,600 × 80 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880730029249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880730029249A), Jul 30, 1988: Scwzer G164B, West Helena, AR, Substantial damage. En route to spray field, engine failed at low altitude. Put it into trees. An intake valve failed causing power lost

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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