# NTSB NYC86FHM02: Grumman 164-A, N7236, Walden, NY, November 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1985, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Walden, NY
- Coordinates: 41.549674, -74.179725 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5497&lon=-74.1797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30221
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FHM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30221/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FHM02

## 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 - turn to reverse direction
  - engine assembly,cylinder - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,other - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A GRUMMAN 164A WAS CROP DUSTING WHEN HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. HE DECIDED NOT TO DUMP THE LOAD DUE TO POSSIBLE LATER REPERCUSSIONS. THE AIRCRAFT LACKED SUFFICENT AIRSPEED OR ALTITUDE TO MAKE A SAFE LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT 'DUMPING THE LOAD WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE AIRCRAFT A BETTER GLIDE RATIO AND SLOWER APPROACH SPEED, ASSURING A SUCCESSFUL LANDING.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7236](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7236), registered now, S/N 988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 164-A
- 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 988
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN-1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Spunky Aerial Duster
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 21, 1985, 453 hours before
- Departed: NONE, KOBELT AIRPORT, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: center; flight hours: 10,647 total, 8,490 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: SWF

## 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 19851118058109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851118058109A), Nov 18, 1985: Scwzer G164A, Walden, NY, Destroyed. Engine failed on spray run failed dump load. Crash landed. Pilot admitted would have better chance load dumped.

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.