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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 3, 1996 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · N9853

Belgrade, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 3, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Belgrade, MT
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail Number
N9853
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA176

While returning from an aerial application flight, the turbine-powered Grumman G-164A experienced a complete loss of power. The pilot made a successful touchdown in an open field, but the aircraft encountered a ditch during the landing roll. When the aircraft impacted the ditch, it sustained substantial damage. The cause of the power loss was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s). A factor relating to the accident was: a ditch in the field where the forced landing was executed.

Full Narrative

On August 3, 1996, approximately 0800 mountain daylight time, a turbine-powered Grumman-Schweizer G-164A "Ag-Cat", N9853, registered to and being flown by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when the aircraft impacted a ditch during the landing roll following a loss of power approximately 10 nautical miles southwest of Belgrade, Montana. The pilot reportedly was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which had been engaged in aerial application and was returning at the end of a spray run, was to have been operated under 14CFR137. The pilot reported to an FAA inspector that while in cruise fight, the aircraft's engine began to stream white smoke and power was lost shortly thereafter. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field, but during the landing roll, the aircraft impacted a ditch and sustained substantial damage. A post-accident investigation did not determine the reason for the loss of power.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail NumberN9853
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE-331-1 · Turboprop · 665
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data