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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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September 7, 1983 · Grumman G-164A · N4698

Estill, SC

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 7, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Estill, SC
Aircraft
Grumman G-164A
Tail Number
N4698
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL83LA358

DURING A SWATH RUN, THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, SO THE PLT ABORTED THE MISSION & STARTED BACK TO THE ARPT TO LAND. HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG QUIT RUNNING & THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE OIL RING ON THE # 3 PISTON WAS BROKEN, BUT THE RING WAS STILL IN THE PISTON GROOVE & THERE WAS NO DAMAGE NOTED TO THE PISTON LAND OR CYLINDER WALL. A PARTIAL DISASSEMBLY OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THERE WAS APRX 2 OUNCES OF FLUID IN THE BOWL. APPRX 1/4 OF THE FLUID WAS WATER. EXCEPT FOR SOME SOOT ON THE SPARK PLUGS, NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES OF THE ENG WERE FOUND.

Full Narrative

DURING A SWATH RUN, THE ACFT BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, SO THE PLT ABORTED THE MISSION & STARTED BACK TO THE ARPT TO LAND. HOWEVER, BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG QUIT RUNNING & THE PLT LANDED IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE OIL RING ON THE # 3 PISTON WAS BROKEN, BUT THE RING WAS STILL IN THE PISTON GROOVE & THERE WAS NO DAMAGE NOTED TO THE PISTON LAND OR CYLINDER WALL. A PARTIAL DISASSEMBLY OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THERE WAS APRX 2 OUNCES OF FLUID IN THE BOWL. APPRX 1/4 OF THE FLUID WAS WATER. EXCEPT FOR SOME SOOT ON THE SPARK PLUGS, NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES OF THE ENG WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:22 EDT
Nearest Airport3nm NW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164A
Tail NumberN4698
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340-AN1 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 3 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data