# NTSB SEA89LA121: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8974H, Colfax, WA, June 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1989, 20:30 local (Jun 24, 1989, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Colfax, WA
- Coordinates: 46.849288, -117.44033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8493&lon=-117.4403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41039
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41039/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA121

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. THE TERRAIN WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING.

## 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 - aerial application
  - engine assembly,cylinder - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ROUGH TERRAIN ON FORCED LANDING AND NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED LOOSE MOUNTING NUTS ON THE NO 4 CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8974H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8974H), registered now, S/N 1347, built 1974 (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: 1347
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Fender, Darrell L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: S94, COLFAX, WA
- Destination: S94, COLFAX, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUW, 14 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 19890623017499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890623017499A), Jun 23, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Colfax, WA, Substantial damage. Blew a jug during a spray turn around and nosed over landing. Attach nuts on NR4 cylinder had worked loose.

## Other investigations on N8974H (3)

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 SEA88LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA135), Jul 21, 1988: Schweizer G164A (N8974H), Colfax, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN84LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA192), Jun 23, 1984: Grumman G-164A (N8974H), Murdo, SD, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW82DA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA205), Jun 1, 1982: Grumman G-164A (N8974H), Angleton, TX, destroyed

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.