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November 11, 1998 · Grumman-Schweizer G164B · N6656Q

Cuthbert, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 1998
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Cuthbert, GA
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G164B
Tail Number
N6656Q
Operator
Thrash Viation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL99LA017

According to the pilot, the airplane's engine lost power while positioning to conduct agricultural operations. The Pilot made an off airport emergency landing in a field. The airplane collided with tree stumps and nosed over. During engine examination, there was a fatigue fracture found in the fuel control gearshaft. It was discovered that both fuselage and engine fuel filters were clogged. There was no Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the installation of the engine into this airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The fatigue failure of the accessory gear shaft which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. A factors was the fuel system filter restriction.

Full Narrative

On November 11, 1998 about 1700 eastern standard time, a Grumman-Schweizer G164B, N6656Q collided with tree stumps and the ground during a forced landing near Cuthbert, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 137 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for this flight. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was destroyed. The flight originated in Cuthbert, Georgia, at 1655. According to the pilot, he was flying 500 feet above the ground and was repositioning the airplane to conduct a spraying operation when the engine lost power. The pilot selected a forced landing area and executed a forced landing. During the emergency land, the airplane collided with tree stumps and nosed over. During the engine examination there was a fatigue fracture noticed within the fuel control gear shaft. A crack was detected in the web portion of the gear shaft, and heavy wear was noted on the loaded side of the outer dimension (OD) gear teeth and on the shoulder on the OD surface of the shaft brackets. During the fracture examination, it was noted that the "peeling" type fatigue fracture, and the angling of the final separation through the shaft were typical of torsional loading. The failed gear shaft provided direct drive to the engine fuel pump. During the wreckage examination by FAA Inspectors, it was discovered that the fuel control and the fuselage fuel filters were clogged. An undetermined amount of Jet fuel was discovered at the accident site. Fuel was also found throughout the airframe fuel system. A review of the airframe maintenance logs disclosed that this airplane was retrofitted with Garrett turboprops engine without a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC). There was no STC for the installation of this engine into this airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EST
Nearest AirportCutherbert-Randolph (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length3000 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G164B
Tail NumberN6656Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThrash Viation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331-6-252M · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 37 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data