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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

April 24, 1996 · Grumman G-164 · N602U

Toms River, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Toms River, NJ
Aircraft
Grumman G-164
Tail Number
N602U
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC96LA090

The pilot performed a forced landing following a total loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb. The airplane collided with trees, and came to rest approximately 1 mile form the airport. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA Inspector did not disclose evidence of malfunctions. Uncontaminated fuel was observed in the fuel tanks and the gascolator. Further examination of the engine revealed no evidence of malfunctions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

Full Narrative

On April 24, 1996, about 1545 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N602U, was destroyed when it collided with trees during a forced landing after takeoff from the Robert J Miller Air Park, Toms River, New Jersey. The airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial fire fighting flight. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed runway 24 at Toms River, in response to fight a brush fire. The airplane was in a climbing left turn, about 300 feet above the ground, when the engine lost total power. He dumped a 2,000 pound water load and performed a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with trees and came to rest approximately 1 mile southeast of Toms River. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Fuel was observed in the fuel tanks and gascolator, with no evidence of contamination. Also, an engine examination was conducted by Aero Engines-Inc., Los Angeles, California, under the supervision of an FAA Inspector. No evidence of mechanical malfunctions were found with the engine during the examination. The pilot had a total flight experience of about 4,690 hours, of which 20 hours were in the accident airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 EDT
Nearest AirportRobert J Miller Air Park (1nm SE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164
Tail NumberN602U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN1 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 17 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 25 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data