# NTSB NYC05LA129: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N48395, Penn Yan, NY, August 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 6, 2005, 09:12 local (13:12 UTC) - Place: Penn Yan, NY - Coordinates: 42.636943, -77.05278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6369&lon=-77.0528&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 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62146 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05LA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62146/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05LA129 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to a fatigue fractured pushrod. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,push rod - fatigue (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, as the pilot turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern and reduced engine power, the engine "went silent." The pilot initiated a descent and performed a forced landing to rough, uneven terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the radial engine revealed the number 3 exhaust valve was fractured, due to fatigue. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed the engine was last overhauled approximately 7 years prior to the accident, and that the engine accumulated approximately 963 hours of operation since the overhaul. Additionally, an entry dated July 30, 2005, revealed a bird's nest was removed from the induction system. ## Factual narrative On August 6, 2005, at 0912 eastern daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A airplane, N48395, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Penn Yan Airport (PEO), Penn Yan, New York. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local agricultural application flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. According to the pilot, he had completed two local flights without any abnormalities, and then departed from runway 19, for the third flight of the day. After takeoff, as the pilot turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern and reduced the power, the engine "went silent." The pilot initiated a descent toward the runway to perform a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane rolled into rough, uneven terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the radial engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the number 3 exhaust valve was fractured. The fractured valve was sent to the Safety Board Materials Laboratory, in Washington, D.C., for further examination. According to the Materials Laboratory Factual Report, examination of the fracture features on the fitting side of the valve revealed features consistent with fatigue. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed the engine was last overhauled on March 16, 1998. The engine accumulated approximately 963 hours of operation since the overhaul. Additionally, an entry dated July 30, 2005, revealed a bird's nest was removed from the induction system. The next, and final, entry was dated August 5, 2005, and stated, "tightened throttle quadrant friction nut one turn. Ops check good." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48395](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48395-2016-09-13), registration cancelled 2016-09-13, S/N 1628, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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: 1628 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Arkport Air Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PEO, Penn Yan, NY - Destination: PEO - Airport: PEO, Penn Yan Airport, runway 19, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: center; flight hours: 3,500 total, 2,215 in this make and model, 31 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: PEO ## 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 20050806024259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050806024259A), Aug 6, 2005: Scwzer G164A, Milo, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) After takeoff and at approximately 300 ft AGL, aircraft experienced total power loss and landed in uneven terrain causing substantial damage to aircraft.… ## Other investigations on N48395 (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 NYC90DFJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DFJ04), Aug 30, 1990: Schweizer Grumman G-164A (N48395), Wayland, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. 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.