# NTSB WPR10LA139: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N6774Q, Colfax, WA, February 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2010, 08:38 local (16:38 UTC) - Place: Colfax, WA - Coordinates: 46.858612, -117.413887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8586&lon=-117.4139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75380 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75380/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75380 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA139 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing for the first aerial application flight of the day and the airplane was loaded with fertilizer. The pilot did not apply carburetor heat during the ground idle or taxi. He stated that during the takeoff roll, the engine did not produce normal power. He attempted to dump the fertilizer before the airplane collided with terrain in a nearby field. Post accident examination of the airplane and engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. Review of the carburetor icing probability chart revealed that the temperature and dew point, 8 and -1 degrees Celsius respectively, were conducive to serious icing conditions at glide power. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2010, at 0838 Pacific standard time, N6774Q, a Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation G-164B, lost partial engine power during takeoff and the airplane collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot was not injured. TLC Flying, Inc. was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with fertilizer and fuel for the first flight of the day. He did not apply carburetor heat during the taxi, but the run up and carburetor heat checks were satisfactory. During the takeoff, the engine did not perform as it normally did, the pilot attempted to dump the fertilizer, and the airplane collided with terrain in a nearby field. The airplane sustained damage to the empennage and wings. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane and engine following the accident. Fuel was present in the airplane and appeared uncontaminated. The throttle quadrant and carburetor heat controls were continuous to the engine. Examination of the magnetos and carburetor revealed no mechanical abnormalities. Due to damage sustained to the propeller and engine, the inspector was unable to test run the engine following the accident. The inspector reported that the engine was not seized. No mechanical anomalies were identified. The inspector indicated that following the accident, the pilot told him that he checked the carburetor heat operation prior to takeoff. As the airplane rolled down the runway, the pilot felt that the engine was not producing enough power to fly, but he was forced to continue the takeoff due to uneven terrain off the end of the runway. Review of the carburetor icing probability chart revealed that the temperature and dew point, 8 and -1 degrees Celsius respectively, were conducive to serious icing conditions at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6774Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6774Q), registered now, S/N 284B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B - 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: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 284B - Airframe hours: 8830 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Tlc Flying Inc - Registered owner: Tlc Flying Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2009, 106 hours before - Departed: S94, Colfax, WA - Destination: S94, Colfax, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: S94, Port of Whitman, runway 25, 3,209 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 12, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 4,694 total, 1,623 in this make and model, 54 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: PUW, 14 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 20100218028129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100218028129A), Feb 18, 2010: Grumman Acf G-164B, Colfax, WA, Substantial damage. This accident occured on the first flight of the day. The air temperture was aproximately 35-36 degrees and there was high moisture in the area with patches of… ## Other investigations on N6774Q (3) 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 SEA01LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA149), Aug 11, 2001: Grumman G-164B (N6774Q), Quincy, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the impeller assembly as a consequence of impeller rub and binding within the impeller collector case for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB SEA95LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA188), Jul 28, 1995: Grumman G-164B (N6774Q), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS. - [NTSB LAX90DVA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVA10), Aug 19, 1990: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N6774Q), Westley, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75380. 326 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328263&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328264&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.