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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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August 7, 2002 · Schweizer G-164B · N8444K

Sturgis, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 7, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sturgis, MI
Aircraft
Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N8444K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA238

The airplane was damaged when it nosed over during a forced landing in a soybean field following a loss of engine power while maneuvering. The airplane was involved in an aerial application flight. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the turbine section of the engine had failed.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the turbine section of the engine, and the unsuitable terrain encountered for the forced landing. The low altitude was a factor.

Full Narrative

On August 6, 2002, at 2037 eastern daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N8444K, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering 8 miles north of Sturgis, Michigan. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The local flight originated from the Wolfe Field Airport, Shipshewana, Indiana, at 1910. The airplane was being used to spray a cornfield near Sturgis, Michigan. Subsequent to the engine failure, a forced landing was executed in a soybean field adjacent to the field that was being sprayed. During the forced landing, the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the turbine section of the engine had failed.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:37 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN8444K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsGarrett · TPE331-1-151A · Turboprop · 665
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 55
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time00:38
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data