# NTSB MKC90LA090: Grumman G-164B, N8139K, Des Arc, AR, April 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Des Arc, AR
- Coordinates: 34.969917, -91.499732 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9699&lon=-91.4997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA090

## Probable cause

WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, DUE TO IMPROPER GROUND SERVICING OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND AN IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, ground personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE ACFT HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED WITH FUEL THAT HAD BEEN STORED IN A NURSE TRUCK 'ALL WINTER LONG.' SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER.  AN EMERG LNDG WAS MADE IN A SOFT/MUDDY FARM FLD THAT RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER.  A POST-ACDNT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT FUEL IN THE NURSE TRUCK & ACFT WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8139K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8139K-1998-08-07), registration cancelled 1998-08-07, S/N 582B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 582B
- Airframe hours: 3157
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bells Ag Service Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1990, 72 hours before
- Departed: NONE, DES ARC, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 14,500 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 50 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 19900419010299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900419010299A), Apr 19, 1990: Scwzer G164B, Des Arc, AR, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Nosed over on forced landing. Water in fuel and in operators fuel storage tank.

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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