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September 28, 2004 · Grumman G-164A · N8661H

Gilbert, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 28, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Gilbert, LA
Aircraft
Grumman G-164A
Tail Number
N8661H
Operator
The Airport
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW04CA246

The 11,000-hour pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the "engine began running rough." The pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport and "attempted to gain altitude." At an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level and approximately 1/2 mile from the runway when the engine "shuttered violently and quit." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby pasture. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, the airplane impacted a wire fence, crossed two ditches, one road, impacted a second fence, crossed another pasture, and impacted a third fence before coming to rest upright in a plowed field. Examination of the radial engine revealed a piston connecting rod was separated the piston. The operator reported that at the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 462 hours since major overhaul and 300 hours since the last annual inspection.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of a piston connecting rod for undetermined reasons resulting in the loss of engine power. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On September 28, 2004, at 0900 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A single-engine agricultural biplane, registered to a private individual and operated by The Airport, of Gilbert, Louisiana, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Gilbert, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight originated from a private airstrip near Gilbert, Louisiana, at 0830. The 11,000-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that after he performed a preflight inspection on the airplane, he conducted a 45-minute aerial application flight. After reloading the hopper with a chemical load, he departed the private airstrip to commence a second aerial application on a nearby field. During the aerial application flight, the "engine began running rough," and the pilot initiated a turn back toward the airport while "attempting to gain altitude." At an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level and approximately 1/2 mile from the runway, the engine "shuttered violently and quit." The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby pasture. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a fence, crossed two ditches, a road, impacted a second fence, crossed another pasture, and impacted a third fence before coming to rest upright in a plowed field. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the site of the accident, revealed the lower right wing was separated from the fuselage. The upper wing was completely separated from its mount. Examination of the Pratt and Whitney R-1340 radial engine revealed a piston connecting rod was separated from the piston. The operator reported that at the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 462 hours since the last major overhaul, and 300 hours since the last annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164A
Tail NumberN8661H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThe Airport
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data