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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

October 15, 1997 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · N8819H

Altus, OK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Altus, OK
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail Number
N8819H
Operator
Brown S Flying Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA016

The agricultural airplane's engine lost power as the pilot was turning the airplane between spray passes. The ensuing forced landing was made to a soft field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the radial engine revealed that a circumferential crack had completely separated the #4 cylinder head from the cylinder barrel.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power due to the cracked cylinder. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On October 15, 1997, at 1800 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A agricultural airplane, N8819H, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Altus, Oklahoma. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot, who was doing business as Brown's Flying Service of Drumright, Oklahoma. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 local aerial application flight. During a telephone interview conducted by the NTSB investigator-in-charge and in the attached NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the engine lost power as he was turning the airplane between spray passes. The pilot further reported that the ensuing forced landing was made to a soft field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. According to the FAA inspector who inspected the airplane at the accident site, the top wing and vertical stabilizer sustained structural damage. Examination of the radial engine, a Pratt & Whitney R-985-14B, by the FAA inspector revealed that a circumferential crack had completely separated the #4 cylinder head from the cylinder barrel.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail NumberN8819H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBrown S Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-14B · Reciprocating · 450

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 43 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data