Aviation Crash Map

Grumman-Schweizer G-164B N297AL

4 July 2002 · Shelley, Idaho, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 4 July 2002 at about 02:30 local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B registered N297AL was involved in an accident near Shelley, Idaho, 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.

The record

Date
at 02:30
Classification
Accident
Location
Shelley, Idaho, United States
Coordinates
43.4500, -112.1667
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
Registration
N297AL
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Not recorded
Operating rule
Part 137: Agricultural
Purpose of flight
Aerial Application
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Shelley → Unknown
Aircraft damage
Destroyed
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
SEA02LA121

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 0 1 0

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to the manufacturer's improperly machined threads, which prevented the cylinder base/head halves from being properly assembled, leading to fatigue propagation and the ultimate separation of the cylinder. A contributing factor was the rough terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot had just commenced a spray run when there was an abrupt loss of power accompanied by engine roughness and vibration. Unable to maintain flight, the pilot executed a forced landing into the field being sprayed, landing across the rough, furrowed terrain. Post crash examination revealed that the top of the number five cylinder had separated from the lower half of the cylinder. Further metallurgical examination revealed that the cylinder split circumferentially due to fatigue which originated at the first and second thread roots of the cylinder threads on the inside of the cylinder head. Dimensional examination revealed that the threads between the cylinder base and head had been improperly machined resulting in the cylinder's abutting surfaces not coming into complete contact during assembly of the two components.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Grumman-Schweizer G-164B accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
10 May 2002 Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
N48485
Hordville, Nebraska, United States AG Flight Inc No injuries -
28 Mar 2002 Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
N8498K
Ferriday, Louisiana, United States - No injuries -
20 Jul 2002 Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
N6794K
Knights Landing, California, United States - No injuries -
6 Sep 2002 Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
N48417
Martin, Michigan, United States - No injuries -
6 Jul 2002 Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
N3631B
Sacramento, California, United States - No injuries -
6 Jul 2002 Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
N8440K
Weiser, Idaho, United States - No injuries -

All 62 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
11 Aug 2002 Piper PA-22/20
N1573P
Shearer, Idaho, United States - No injuries -
25 Sep 2002 Piper PA-28-180
N7027W
Yellow Pine, Idaho, United States - Fatal 2
12 Mar 2002 Piper PA-31
N2336V
Atlanta, Idaho, United States - Fatal 3
16 Jun 2002 Stinson 108-1
N8849K
Heyburn, Idaho, United States - No injuries -
17 Aug 2002 Beechcraft C-35
N1888D
Nampa, Idaho, United States - Serious injuries -
21 Sep 2002 Cessna R172K
N1071V
Salmon, Idaho, United States - No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States