# NTSB SEA96LA103: Schweizer G164B, N48559, Moscow, ID, May 29, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 1996, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Moscow, ID - Coordinates: 46.709732, -116.909782 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7097&lon=-116.9098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42375 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA103 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42375/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA103 ## Probable cause inflight loss of an unsecured access plug from the engine crankcase, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and a forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: hilly terrain, and foreign material (engine oil) on the windscreen which limited forward visibility. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - engine assembly,other - not secured (cause) - fluid,oil - leak (cause) - miscellaneous,engine - smoke (contributing factor) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - foreign material/substance (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The pilot reported that while conducting an agricultural aerial application flight, the windscreen suddenly became obscured by smoke and oil. Operating over hilly terrain with poor forward visibility through the windscreen, he attempted a forced landing on a ridge top. The airplane was substantially damaged in the forced landing. FAA inspectors who examined the airplane after the accident reported that they found an access plug missing from the front of the crankcase of the aircraft's Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1996, at approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, N48559, a Schweizer G-164B operated by Fountain Inc. of Moscow, Idaho, a 14 CFR 137 agricultural aircraft certificate holder, was substantially damaged in a forced landing following an engine malfunction while conducting a 14 CFR 137 agricultural aerial application flight near Moscow. The commercial pilot of the single-seat aircraft was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported: "While applying herbicide on wheat field...the windscreen suddenly became ob[s]cured by smoke and oil. Attempted landing on ridge top in hilly country while forward visibility was poor." FAA inspectors from Spokane, Washington who examined the aircraft wreckage after the accident reported that an access plug was missing from the front of the crankcase of the aircraft's Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine. Photographs taken by the inspectors also showed oil staining on an aircraft component. The operator did not furnish any information regarding the maintenance, service or inspection history of the aircraft or engine with his accident report. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48559](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48559), registered now, S/N 73B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer G164B - 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: 73B - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Fountain Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: UNKNOWN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 11,650 total, 3,500 in this make and model, 11,510 as pilot in command, 310 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 55 °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 19960529011909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960529011909A), May 29, 1996: Scwzer G164B, Moscow, ID, Substantial damage. During spray run oil and smoke on windscreen. Crash blind landing. Access lug from front crankcase was missing. 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.