Grumman Schweizer G-164 N9533

Summary

On 17 April 2017 at about 16:45 local time, a Grumman Schweizer G-164 registered N9533, operated by Hunninghake Aerial Spaying LLC, was involved in an accident near Palmer, Kansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 April 2017 at 16:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Palmer, Kansas, United States

Coordinates

39.5619, -97.1881

Aircraft

Grumman Schweizer G-164

Registration

N9533

Category

Airplane

Year built

1973

Engines

1

Operator

Hunninghake Aerial Spaying LLC

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Baileyville → Palmer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA163

Nobody was injured.

A crack in the cylinder of the radial engine, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a forced landing on unsuitable terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot stated that he was conducting an aerial application flight when he heard two "pop" sounds and the engine lost power. The pilot continued flying about 1/3 of a mile before being forced to land. He turned left to avoid a fence and landed in a newly planted wheat field, during which the airplane rolled over five terraces before it spun 180° and came to a stop. The airplane sustained damage to the propeller/engine, right lower wing, and firewall. Examination of the radial engine revealed a crack on an engine cylinder located at the 3 o'clock position of the engine. According to logbook entries, an airworthiness directive regarding a visual inspection for cylinder cracks was completed at the most recent annual inspection, about 37 hours before the accident. It could not be determined if the crack was not detected during the most recent inspection or if it originated after the inspection.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.