# NTSB WPR11CA261: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N8376K, Pullman, WA, June 15, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 14, 2011, 19:00 local (Jun 15, 2011, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Pullman, WA
- Coordinates: 46.720726, -117.180603 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7207&lon=-117.1806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
- NTSB case key (mKey): 80790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80790/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80790
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA261

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the purpose of the agricultural flight was to spray a swath of field bordered by power lines. After making a pass, the pilot's attention was focused on a pole and he struck nearby power lines, which wrapped around the propeller. The pilot noticed a sudden loss in power and thought he could make it back to the airport. The engine then lost total power and the pilot initiated a forced landing in a field, resulting in a hard landing. The engine detached from the airplane and both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he was spraying a swath of field bordered by power lines. After making a pass, the pilot's attention was focused on a pole and he struck nearby power lines, which wrapped around the propeller. The pilot noticed a sudden loss in power and thought he could make it back to the airport. The power loss increased and the pilot initiated a forced landing into a field, resulting in a hard landing. The engine detached from the airplane and both wings and fuselage sustained substantial structural damage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8376K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8376K-2024-04-01), registration cancelled 2024-04-01, S/N 675B, built 1982 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 675B
- Airframe hours: 7617
- Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 4, 2011, 77 hours before
- Departed: Staley Airstrip, WA
- Destination: Staley Airstrip, WA
- Airport: Staley Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: minor; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 10, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 421 total, 171 in this make and model, 267 as pilot in command, 159 in the last 90 days, 51 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: PUW, 20 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 20110614009909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110614009909A), Jun 14, 2011: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Pullman, WA, Substantial damage. Accident happened at 7:00PM. Low light. Pilot stated that he made a survey flight over the feild. He saw power lines in the middle of the feild and at the end.…

## Other investigations on N8376K (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 CEN21LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA237), May 27, 2021: Grumman G164 (N8376K), Celina, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA06CA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA145), Jul 23, 2006: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N8376K), Lamont, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 27, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80790. 592 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 592 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.