Grumman-Schweizer G-164B N542KG

Summary

On 9 August 2001 at about 14:15 local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B registered N542KG was involved in an accident near Bunkie, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 2001 at 14:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Bunkie, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

30.9497, -92.1810

Aircraft

Grumman-Schweizer G-164B

Registration

N542KG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bunkie → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW01LA177

1 person had minor injuries.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

While returning to a private airstrip after dispensing a chemical load, the pilot reduced engine power to "slow the airplane [in order] to apply the dispersal pump brake." When he reapplied power, the engine "made popping and sputtering noises." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a clearing in a field; however, the airplane impacted trees approximately 30 feet prior to the clearing. The fuel tanks were found compromised with fuel draining from them. The FAA inspector stated that the propeller rotated, the spark plug leads were found broken, two cylinder heads were found separated, and an exhaust valve was found separated. It was not determined if the separation of the cylinder heads occurred prior to or during the impact sequence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.