# NTSB SEA96LA155: Grumman G-164A, N48442, New Plymouth, ID, July 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 15, 1996, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: New Plymouth, ID - Coordinates: 43.939655, -116.800674 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9397&lon=-116.8007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42418/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA155 ## Probable cause a cracked cylinder head, which resulted in partial loss of engine power during takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot allowed the gross weight of the airplane to be exceeded, and tall wheat (crop) in the emergency landing area. ## 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, takeoff - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - load jettison - performed, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing after takeoff ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had just loaded 1,500 pounds of dry fertilizer for the next aerial application run. During the takeoff ground roll, approaching the departure end of the runway, the pilot noted that the airspeed was still too low for liftoff. He opted to dump the load and pull up to try and fly in ground effect. The airplane lifted off, but it settled in a nose high attitude into a field of tall wheat. The airplane decelerated and came to rest inverted. After the airplane was removed, the engine was inspected. During the inspection, a crack on the head of the number eight cylinder was found between the intake and exhaust valves. A weight and balance calculation showed the airplane was approximately 540 pounds over its maximum certified gross weight. ## Factual narrative On July 15, 1996, at 1400 mountain daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N48442, operated by Taylor Aviation as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from a dirt airstrip near New Plymouth, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The pilot reported that he had been spraying dry fertilizer throughout the day. The airplane had just been loaded with 1,500 pounds of fertilizer and was taking off for another run. The pilot stated that as the airplane approached the end of the runway, he noticed that the airspeed was 50 mph. The pilot reported that the airplane needs about 72 mph to fly, but will fly in ground effect at about 60 mph and accelerate. At the end of the runway, the pilot opted to dump the load and pull up to try and fly in ground effect. The pilot glanced down at the airspeed indicator and noticed 60 mph, however, the airplane settled nose high into the tall wheat field. The airplane decelerated and came to rest inverted. After the airplane was removed from the field, the engine was inspected. During the inspection, a crack on the head of the number eight cylinder was found between the intake and exhaust valves. The calculated weight and balance for the flight determined that the airplane was loaded approximately 540 pounds over the maximum gross weight of 4,500 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48442](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48442), registered now, S/N 1646, 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) - 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: 1646 - Airframe hours: 2304 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Donald Taylor - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1995, 239 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EUL, 21 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 19960715017139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960715017139A), Jul 15, 1996: Scwzer G164A, New Plymouth, ID, Substantial damage. Unable to accelerate or leave ground effect on takeoff. Dumped load. Nose over in wheat. Cracked NR8 cylinder. 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.