# NTSB SEA96LA176: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N9853, Belgrade, MT, August 3, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1996, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Belgrade, MT - Coordinates: 45.810348, -111.149391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8103&lon=-111.1494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42434 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42434/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA176 ## Probable cause loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: a ditch in the field where the forced landing was executed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis While returning from an aerial application flight, the turbine-powered Grumman G-164A experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot made a successful touchdown in an open field, but the aircraft encountered a ditch during the landing roll. When the aircraft impacted the ditch, it sustained substantial damage. The cause of the power loss was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1996, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, a turbine-powered Grumman-Schweizer G-164A "Ag-Cat", N9853, registered to and being flown by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft impacted a ditch during the landing roll following a loss of power approximately 10 nautical miles southwest of Belgrade, Montana. The pilot reportedly was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which had been engaged in aerial application and was returning at the end of a spray run, was to have been operated under 14CFR137. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that while in cruise fight, the aircraft's engine began to stream white smoke and power was lost shortly thereafter. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field, but during the landing roll, the aircraft impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage. A post-accident investigation did not determine the reason for the loss of power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9853](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9853), registered now, S/N 1291, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1291 - Airframe hours: 1787 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-1 665 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Morgan, Boyd, J. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1996, 200 hours before - Departed: BELGRADE, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,100 total, 6,100 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19960803020849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960803020849A), Aug 3, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Belgrade, MT, Substantial damage. White engine smoke and power loss. Landed open field. Hit ditch. Cause power loss unknown. ## Other investigations on N9853 (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR24LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA165), May 26, 2024: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A (N9853), Rome, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during landing. 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.