Grumman G164 N8386K

Summary

On 8 September 2019 at about 19:25 local time, a Grumman G164 registered N8386K was involved in an accident near Berlin, Maryland, 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

8 September 2019 at 19:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Berlin, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Bunting's Field (4MD1)

Coordinates

38.3300, -75.2169

Aircraft

Grumman G164

Registration

N8386K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Berlin → Berlin

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA19LA267

Nobody was injured.

The malfunction of the No. 9 pushrod, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing on the first flight of the day to conduct aerial seeding. After takeoff, he noticed that the engine began to vibrate, but the rpm seemed normal. He made a right turn and the engine started to lose power and then "quit." The pilot conducted a forced landing in a cornfield, during which the airplane nosed over, and a post-crash fire ensued. Examination of the engine revealed the No. 9 pushrod was stuck in the open position and the gland seal was brittle. Review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that the No. 9 pushrod was removed, and the gland seal was replaced on the day of the accident before the accident flight. It is likely that since the No. 9 valve was stuck in the open position, it caused the cylinder to lose compression and power in flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.