# NTSB SEA00LA082: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8130K, Ephrata, WA, May 4, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 4, 2000, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Ephrata, WA - Coordinates: 47.27087, -119.590103 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2709&lon=-119.5901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49172 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49172/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA082 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power due to failure of the number three cylinder exhaust valve push rod. Soft terrain encountered during the landing roll-out was a factor. ## 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,push rod - fractured (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on a routine aerial application flight, engine oil began to appear on the aircraft's windscreen. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft's engine began to 'backfire and eventually quit'. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft encountered soft terrain and nosed over. Post-accident examination of the aircraft's engine revealed that the exhaust valve push rod on the number three cylinder had failed. ## Factual narrative On May 4, 2000, at 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B (Ag Cat), N8130K, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing, following a loss of engine power 2 miles northwest of Ephrata, Washington. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local 14CFR137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from a service airstrip approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while on a routine aerial application flight, engine oil began to appear on the aircraft's windscreen. Shortly thereafter, approximately 2 miles northwest of Ephrata, the aircraft's engine began to "backfire and eventually quit". The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field of spring wheat. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft encountered soft terrain and nosed over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. An FAA Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the aircraft after the accident and reported that the exhaust valve push rod on the number three cylinder had failed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8130K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8130K-2009-08-25), registration cancelled 2009-08-25, S/N 576B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gulfstream-Schweizer 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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 576 B - Airframe hours: 7800 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: The Cropduster Inc, doing business as The Cropduster Inc. - Registered owner: Fred W. Meise - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2000, 5 hours before - Departed: COULEE CITY, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,800 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 3,600 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EPH, 2 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 20000504008939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000504008939A), May 4, 2000: Ephrata, WA, No damage. (-23) Pilot reported engine failure and attempted to land in a field. A/c flipped over on its back because of soft terrain and sustained substantial damage to… 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.