# NTSB SEA95LA094: Grumman G-164B, N6895Q, Stayton, OR, May 7, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1995, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Stayton, OR - Coordinates: 44.810165, -122.719161 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8102&lon=-122.7192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42146 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42146/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA094 ## Probable cause A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S). A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - aerial application - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE INITIATING A SPRAY RUN, THE ENGINE BEGAN SURGING AND BACKFIRING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS 80 FEET ABOVE GROUND, AND WITH POWER LINES IN THE PILOT'S FLIGHT PATH HE ELECTED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT IN A DIRT FIELD THE AIRCRAFT'S WHEELS SANK INTO THE SOIL AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION REVEALED NO DISCREPANCY WITH THE MAGNETOS OR AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM, AND UNCONTAMINATED FUEL WAS IN THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL TANKS. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 1995, approximately 1420 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6895Q, registered to/operated by Trans Ag, Inc., and being flown by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during the landing roll following a loss of power while initiating an aerial spray run near Stayton, Oregon. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan in effect. The flight, which was to dispense fertilizer, was to have been operated under 14CFR137. The pilot reported that upon arriving at the destination field and entering the spray pattern at an altitude of approximately 80 feet above ground the engine began to "quit and restart and backfire." The pilot rolled wings level, however, the surging/ backfiring continued and he elected to execute a forced landing due to power lines in his flight path. Upon touchdown in a soft dirt field the aircraft rolled approximately 300 feet after which the wheels sank into the soil and the aircraft nosed over. The operator reported in a telephone conversation that subsequent to the accident the magnetos were checked and found to operate satisfactorily. Additionally, the air induction system was examined and found to be unobstructed. Uncontaminated fuel was found within both wings following the accident. Fuel is delivered to the engine by a gravity feed system. The Operator also reported that rapid accelerations of throttle may result in backfiring and a tendency for the engine to be slow to "spool up" with the corrective action being to reduce throttle as appropriate. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6895Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6895Q), registered now, S/N 335B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 357B - Airframe hours: 5200 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Trans Ag, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1994, 193 hours before - Departed: 5OR8, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 7,556 total, 217 in this make and model, 4,170 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SLE, 8 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 19950507009779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950507009779A), May 7, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Stayton, OR, Substantial damage. On spray run engine surge and backfired. Nosed over landing in spray field. No anomalies found. Landing not needed. 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.