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NTSB Report

May 8, 2005 · Grumman G-164C · N6535K

Willows, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Willows, CA
Aircraft
Grumman G-164C
Tail Number
N6535K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX05LA165

The pilot force landed the airplane in a rice field following a loss of engine power and the main landing gear was sheared off after contacting a berm. While the pilot was seeding rice over a field, the engine lost partial power. The pilot force landed the airplane in a field. During the landing roll, the landing gear impacted a berm and were sheared from their structural attachment points on the airplane. Until the ground impact, the engine was producing partial power, but not enough to sustain flight. Post accident inspection of the engine by the Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator revealed that the number 5 cylinder piston had fractured at the piston pin boss. The piston pin, which is mounted in the piston pin boss and holds the piston to the connecting rod, fell from the boss and the connecting rod was free to rotate. The engine was overhauled about 1,154 hours prior to the accident. The maintenance history on the piston could not be determined based on available records.

NTSB Probable Cause

the loss of engine power due to the fractured piston pin boss on the number 5 cylinder.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 2005, at 0916 Pacific daylight time, a restricted category Grumman G-164C, N6535K, force landed in a rice field after a loss of engine power near Willows, California. Chuck Jones Flying Service, who was also the registered owner of the airplane, was operating it under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area agricultural application flight. According to the pilot, while seeding rice over a field, the engine lost partial power. The pilot force landed the airplane in a field. During the landing roll, the landing gear impacted a berm and were sheared from their structural attachment points on the airplane. Until the ground impact, the engine was producing partial power, but not enough to sustain flight. The Federal Aviation Administration accident coordinator reported that the number 5 cylinder piston had fractured at the piston pin boss. The piston pin, which is mounted in the piston pin boss and holds the piston to the connecting rod, fell from the boss and the connecting rod was free to rotate. Following the accident, the piston was jammed in the cylinder barrel and had to be cut from the engine for removal. The engine was overhauled about 1,154 hours prior to the accident. The maintenance history on the piston could not be determined based on available records.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:16 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164C
Tail NumberN6535K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-1820 · Reciprocating · 1200
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 4800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data