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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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May 4, 2000 · Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B · N8130K

Ephrata, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 4, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ephrata, WA
Aircraft
Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N8130K
Operator
The Cropduster
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA00LA082

The pilot reported that while on a routine aerial application flight, engine oil began to appear on the aircraft's windscreen. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft's engine began to 'backfire and eventually quit'. The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft encountered soft terrain and nosed over. Post-accident examination of the aircraft's engine revealed that the exhaust valve push rod on the number three cylinder had failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Loss of engine power due to failure of the number three cylinder exhaust valve push rod. Soft terrain encountered during the landing roll-out was a factor.

Full Narrative

On May 4, 2000, at 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B (Ag Cat), N8130K, was substantially damaged during an off-airport forced landing, following a loss of engine power 2 miles northwest of Ephrata, Washington. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local 14CFR137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from a service airstrip approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that while on a routine aerial application flight, engine oil began to appear on the aircraft's windscreen. Shortly thereafter, approximately 2 miles northwest of Ephrata, the aircraft's engine began to "backfire and eventually quit". The pilot executed a forced landing in an open field of spring wheat. During the landing roll-out, the aircraft encountered soft terrain and nosed over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings and empennage. An FAA Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the aircraft after the accident and reported that the exhaust valve push rod on the number three cylinder had failed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN8130K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThe Cropduster
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data