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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 19, 1999 · Grumman G-164B · N6861K

Okanogan, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Okanogan, WA
Aircraft
Grumman G-164B
Tail Number
N6861K
Operator
Okanogan Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA99LA067

While maneuvering over an orchard that he was preparing to spray, the pilot flew through a sudden downdraft which pushed him up against his seat belt and shoulder straps. About two seconds later, the engine quit and could not be started. The pilot elected to attempt the forced landing in an alfalfa field that was straight ahead of him. The aircraft initially touched down in the alfalfa, but bounced back into the air and touched down a second time in an area that had been freshly plowed. The main gear sank into the soft dirt and the aircraft nosed over. During the post-accident engine inspection, the engine would not start until the carburetor had been struck a couple of times with a hammer. After the carburetor was jarred by the hammer, the engine started and was able to be test run. Disassembly of the carburetor did not reveal whether the float had stuck, an orifice had been temporarily blocked, or whether there had been some other malfunction.

NTSB Probable Cause

A malfunctioning carburetor. Factors include a downdraft, and the soft dirt in a newly plowed field.

Full Narrative

On May 19, 1999, approximately 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6861K, nosed over in a freshly-plowed field during a forced landing near Okanogan, Washington. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by Okanogan Air Service, sustained substantial damage. The local 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, which had been airborne for about 30 minutes, was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, while maneuvering over an orchard he was about to spray, the aircraft encountered a "big bump of air" which pulled him up against his seatbelt and shoulder harness. About two seconds later, the engine suddenly lost power, momentarily sputtered, and then quit altogether. The pilot elected to make a forced landing in an Alfalfa field that was straight ahead, so he dumped his remaining chemical and prepared to land. The aircraft initially touched down in the alfalfa, but bounced back into the air and touched down again in a freshly plowed portion of the field. After this second touchdown, the main gear sank into the soft dirt and the aircraft nosed over. During a post-accident engine run, the engine would not start until the carburetor was tapped several times with a hammer. After jarring the carburetor with the hammer, the engine was able to be started and run. Disassembly of the carburetor did not reveal whether the float had stuck, contamination had temporarily blocked an orifice, or whether there was some other malfunction.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164B
Tail NumberN6861K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOkanogan Air Service
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 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data