Grumman-Schweizer G-164A N8891H

Summary

On 21 July 2005 at about 16:30 local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A registered N8891H was involved in an accident near Tallulah, Louisiana, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 July 2005 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Tallulah, Louisiana, United States

Coordinates

32.2833, -91.1233

Aircraft

Grumman-Schweizer G-164A

Registration

N8891H

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tallulah → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW05CA186

1 person had minor injuries.

The partial loss of engine power as result of the fracture of the number five-cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm mounting boss. 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

At the completion of an east to west spray pass over a field, the bi-wing agricultural airplane's engine experienced a loss of power and exhibited an unusual vibration. The 2,697-hour private pilot turned the airplane in a southerly direction in an attempt to fly back to the originating airport. Realizing that the engine was not developing sufficient power to return to the airport, the pilot turned the airplane approximately 180-degrees towards a road that he thought would make a suitable landing area. Before the pilot could reach the road, the engine started making "popping" noises, trailing smoke, and experienced a further reduction of power. The pilot then elected to land in a cotton field. During the landing roll the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in an inverted position. An examination of the engine revealed the number five-cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm mounting boss was fractured approximately 180 degrees around its circumference. This fracture allowed the exhaust valve to remain closed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.