# NTSB MKC89LA079: Grumman G-164A, N9874, Stuttgart, AR, March 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1989, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Stuttgart, AR
- Coordinates: 34.489807, -91.550354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4898&lon=-91.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA079

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE BLOWER ASSEMBLY DRIVE SHAFT, WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL BEFORE HE COULD LAND.

## 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, maneuvering - aerial application
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - sheared (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE WAS LINING UP TO MAKE HIS FIRST SWATH RUN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ALSO, HE STATED THAT AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOSING ALTITUDE AND POWER, IT GOT TO ABOUT TELEPHONE POLE HEIGHT, THEN IT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AT A STEEP ANGLE. A POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE SUPERCHARGER SHAFT HAD SHEARED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS POWER. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FULLY LOADED WITH FUEL AND DRY FERTILIZER, WHEN IT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9874](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9874), registered now, S/N 1307, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1307
- Airframe hours: 4240
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hartley Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hartley Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1989, 23 hours before
- Departed: SGT, STUTTGART, AR
- Airport: SGT, Stuttgart

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 35 in this make and model, 223 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19890311003569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890311003569A), Mar 11, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Stuttgart, AR, Substantial damage. Engine failed start of spray run. Stalled and crashed. Super charger drive shaft had 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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