# NTSB SEA95LA138: Grumman G-164A, N8946H, Burley, ID, July 8, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1995, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Burley, ID
- Coordinates: 42.389781, -113.779777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3898&lon=-113.7798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42180
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42180/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA138

## Probable cause

A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE 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,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing
- Nose over, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION RUN, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN STOPPAGE. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A PILE OF ROCKS AND NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE WAS DISASSEMBLED, AND THE THE REAR THROW OF THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Factual narrative

On July 8, 1995, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Grumman G-164A, N8946H, nosed over during an attempted forced landing in a field about 15 miles north of Burley, Idaho. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aerial application flight, which departed Burley Municipal Airport about 20 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT transmission.

According to the operator, the aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power during an application run, and the pilot attempted a forced landing in the field he was spraying. When the aircraft touched down on the soft dirt of the furrowed field, it encountered a pile of rocks and nosed over.

The engine was disassembled by Aero Engines, Inc..  They noted that the rear throw of the crankshaft had failed due to fatigue.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8946H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8946H-2008-05-29), registration cancelled 2008-05-29, S/N 1583, built 1975 (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: 1583
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farm Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: BYI, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,200 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BYI

## 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 19950708017279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950708017279A), Jul 8, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Burley, ID, Substantial damage. Engine siezed on spray run. Hit pile of rocks. Nosed over. Rear throw crankshaft failed due fatiuge.

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.

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