# NTSB SEA95LA165: Grumman G-164A, N48471, Buhl, ID, July 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1995, 12:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Buhl, ID - Coordinates: 42.599651, -114.840538 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5997&lon=-114.8405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42207 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42207/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA165 ## Probable cause THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO THE FAILURE OF AN ENGINE CYLINDER. THE CHEMICAL LOAD WAS NOT DUMPED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND CONTRIBUTED TO THE SEVERITY OF INJURIES. ## 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, cruise - normal - engine assembly,cylinder - failure (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Nose over, emergency landing - aerial application materials - not dumped (contributing factor) ## Analysis SHORTLY AFTER THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFF WITH A CHEMICAL LOAD TO SPRAY A FIELD, THE ENGINE SUSTAINED A LOSS OF POWER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AFTER CONTACTING A FENCE, CRUSHING THE FUSELAGE AFT OF THE LOWER WING TRAILING EDGE. THE CHEMICAL LOAD HAD NOT BEEN DUMPED, AND THE EXTRA MASS OF THE LOAD AGGRAVATED THE DAMAGE THAT THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED IN THE COCKPIT AREA. THE CABLE FOR MANUAL ACTIVATION OF THE SALVO DOOR WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN. IT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED IF THE CABLE FAILURE PREEXISTED OR WAS THE RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE #4 CYLINDER EXHAUST ROCKER ARM BOSS WAS FOUND CRACKED AROUND ITS ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE, AND THE INTAKE VALVE PUSHROD WAS BENT. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1995, approximately 1215 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Grumman G164, N48471, impacted the terrain about one minute after departing Buhl Municipal Airport, Buhl, Idaho. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received fatal injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR 137 aerial application flight, which was planned for a location about 15 miles northwest of the Buhl airport, was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and the aircraft was not equipped with an ELT. According to witnesses, the aircraft took off and turned to a heading that would take it to the site of the planned application. It was not observed again for about 30 to 45 seconds, and then was heard to impact the terrain, about 3 to 4 miles from the airport. The FAA inspector who responded to the scene reported that the aircraft had impacted the terrain at a very shallow angle. The pilot had not dumped the chemical load prior to impact. Persons who witnessed the aircraft prior to the crash noted that it was running poorly and backfiring prior to the crash. FAA inspectors noted that the #4 cylinder exhaust rocker arm boss was cracked around its entire circumference, with a bent intake pushrod and a straight exhaust pushrod. The intake valve rocker arm showed contact with the intake valve upper retaining washer. Intake and exhaust valves showed no sign of contact with the piston. Company records indicate that the engine had 1316.8 hours since major overhaul. According to FAA inspectors, the manual salvo door cable was broken, which would have prevented dumping the load, however it could not be determined if the cable had failed prior to or during the crash sequence. The aircraft went through a fence and nosed over during the forced landing. The fuselage, aft of the training edge of the lower wing, was extensively crushed and twisted. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by Dr. Carl Staones, at Magic Valley Regional Medical Center, Twin Falls, Idaho. The pathologist stated that the "cause of death was laceration of cerebral peduncles due to massive head injury incurred in [the] aircraft crash." Toxicological testing was performed by the FAA, with negative results. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48471](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48471-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 1652, built 1976 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1652 - Airframe hours: 6790 - Engines: P&W R-1340AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Reeder Flying Service - Registered owner: Reeder Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1994, 18 hours before - Departed: U03, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 14,669 total, 535 in this make and model, 169 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 6 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: TWF ## 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 19950729020009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950729020009A), Jul 29, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Buhl, ID, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Impacted shortly after departure. Engine backfiring. Failed dump load. Cyl rocker arm and valve broke. Head injury. 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.