# NTSB SEA89LA135: Grumman G-164A, N8377, Albion, ID, July 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1989, 06:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Albion, ID
- Coordinates: 42.379531, -113.600204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3795&lon=-113.6002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE MIXTURE CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.  THE FENCE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG BGN LOSING PWR AT ABT 150' AGL & SOUNDED LIKE THE FUEL FILTER WAS CLOGGED. HE JETTISONED THE LOAD & MADE AN EMERG LNDG IN A NEARBY FLD, BUT THE ACFT HIT A FENCE & NOSED OVER.  THE OPERATOR EXAMINED THE ENG, BUT FOUND NO FAILURE.  HE STATED THAT THE PLT HAD LEANED THE MIXTURE DURING TAKEOFF, THEN AFTER THE ENG LOST POWER, HE COULD NOT RESTART THE ENG IN TIME TO KEEP THE ACFT AIRBORNE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8377](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8377-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 869, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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: 869
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hawk Flying Service
- Registered owner: Hawk Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: U40, Albion

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890719035219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890719035219A), Jul 19, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Albion, ID, Substantial damage. Altitude takeoff. Leaned mixture too much. Engine faltured aircraft struck a fence off end runway and flipped over.

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.