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NTSB Report

May 14, 1996 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · N6620Q

Vineland, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 14, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Vineland, NJ
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail Number
N6620Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC96LA105

After performing a number of previous aerial application flights, the airplane was loaded with a chemical pesticide, and the pilot initiated a takeoff from runway 20. Immediately after liftoff, the engine began missing, smoking, and backfiring violently. When the pilot was not able to maintain airspeed, he dropped the 207 gallons of pesticide, and made a forced landing straight ahead in a freshly plowed field. During the landing, the main gear sank into the topsoil, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine revealed that the number eight cylinder head was cracked open from the forward spark plug boss to the rear spark plug boss, and the crack had progressed down to the cylinder barrel.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the number 8 cylinder, which resulted in loss of engine power, a forced landing in soft terrain, and subsequent nose over of the airplane.

Full Narrative

On May 14, 1996, at 0945 eastern daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G164A-600, N6620Q, operated by Downtown Airport Inc., was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff from the Vineland-Downtown Airport, Vineland, New Jersey. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the agriculture application flight that originated at the Vineland-Downtown Airport (28N). No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot and airplane had flown 3 to 4 hours of application flights prior to the accident takeoff. The airplane was loaded with a chemical pesticide, and departed runway 20. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he departed 28N for an application flight. He further stated: "...Immediately after liftoff the engine began missing, smoking and backfiring violently. Not...able to maintain sufficient airspeed, I dropped the load (207 gallons of pesticide) and landed straight ahead in a freshly plowed field. The main gear sunk into the topsoil, and the aircraft nosed over..." Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed: "...The #8 cylinder head was cracked open from the forward spark plug boss over the top of the head to the rear spark plug boss, and progressed down to the steel cylinder barrel. No other contributing causes could be substantiated during this investigation..."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 EDT
Nearest AirportVineland-Downtown (0nm SSW)
Runway20
Runway Length2230 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail NumberN6620Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN-1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 19 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time13:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data