# NTSB SEA89LA059: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8792H, Rosalia, WA, March 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1989, 09:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Rosalia, WA
- Coordinates: 47.249835, -117.379257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2498&lon=-117.3793&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 September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40988
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40988/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA059

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A SUPERCHARGER FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN ON WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE.

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED A PWR LOSS ON TAKEOFF AND JETTISONED THE LOAD. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PLOWED FIELD DURING WHICH THE ACFT NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PWR LOSS WAS DUE TO A SUPERCHARGER FAILURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8792H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8792H-1991-10-03), registration cancelled 1991-10-03, S/N 1530 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1530
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: David D. Burnham, doing business as Burnham Flying Service
- Registered owner: Lowell R. Richards
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1988, 160 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 14,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °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 19890325004649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890325004649A), Mar 25, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Rosalia, WA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Dumped load but nosed over landing in a soft field. Blower supercharger had failed.

## Other investigations on N8792H (2)

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 SEA91LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA105), May 14, 1991: Grumman G-164A (N8792H), Lapwai, ID, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN. FACTORS INCLUDE A DOWNDRAFT CONDITION AND SOFT TERRAIN.
- [NTSB CHI76FEE16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEE16), Aug 29, 1975: Grum Amer G-164A (N8792H), Harvard, IL, substantial damage

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.
