# NTSB WPR09CA114: Schweizer G-164B, N3626T, Buttonwillow, CA, February 12, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 12, 2009, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Buttonwillow, CA - Coordinates: 35.399166, -119.474166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3992&lon=-119.4742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73349 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73349/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA114 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to the number four cylinder base nuts becoming loose, allowing the cylinder to detach from the engine case. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impaired visibility due to smoke during the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route to an agriculture application job, the airplane's engine exhaust started shaking, then smoke started coming off the engine. The pilot landed on a farm road. During the landing his visibility was limited by the smoke, and the right wheel went off the road into soft mud. The airplane swerved to the right and nosed over. Examination of the engine disclosed that the number four cylinder base nuts had backed off, allowing the cylinder to separate from the engine case. ## Factual narrative On February 12, 2009, at 0815 Pacific standard time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3626T, performed an emergency landing on a dirt road and nosed over, near Buttonwillow, California. Vince Crop Dusters, Inc., operated the airplane under the provisions of title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at the Vince Crop Dusters home air strip, Buttonwillow. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while en route to a agriculture application job, the engine exhaust started shaking, then smoke started coming off the engine. The pilot landed on a farm road. During the landing his visibility was limited from the smoke, and the right wheel went off the road into soft mud. The airplane swerved to the right and nosed over. The operator reported that upon examination of the engine it was determined that the number 4 cylinder base nuts had backed off allowing the cylinder to separate from the engine case. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3626T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3626T-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 722B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 722B - Airframe hours: 9290 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Vince Crop Dusters, Inc. - Registered owner: Vince Crop Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 2008 - Departed: Buttonwillow, CA - Destination: Buttonwillow, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review February 7, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 8,500 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KBFL, 22 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 20090212001289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090212001289A), Feb 12, 2009: Scwzer G164B, Buttonwillow, CA, Substantial damage. During aerial application, the pilot noticed an excessive exhaust stack vibration followed by smoke. At this time, the engine quit operating and the pilot… ## Other investigations on N3626T (2) 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 LAX04LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA267), Jun 7, 2004: Schweizer G-164B (N3626T), Richvale, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power during takeoff due to the engine's deteriorated fuel control unit's inner drive shaft bearing. The reason for the bearing's deteriorated condition could not be determined. - [NTSB LAX00LA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA344), Sep 21, 2000: Schweizer G-164B (N3626T), Corcoran, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors were the pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel tank cover was replaced properly,… 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.