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February 12, 2009 · Schweizer G-164B · N3626T

Buttonwillow, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 2009
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Buttonwillow, CA
Aircraft
Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N3626T
Operator
Vince Crop Dusters
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR09CA114

While en route to an agriculture application job, the airplane's engine exhaust started shaking, then smoke started coming off the engine. The pilot landed on a farm road. During the landing his visibility was limited by the smoke, and the right wheel went off the road into soft mud. The airplane swerved to the right and nosed over. Examination of the engine disclosed that the number four cylinder base nuts had backed off, allowing the cylinder to separate from the engine case.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to the number four cylinder base nuts becoming loose, allowing the cylinder to detach from the engine case. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impaired visibility due to smoke during the forced landing.

Full Narrative

On February 12, 2009, at 0815 Pacific standard time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3626T, performed an emergency landing on a dirt road and nosed over, near Buttonwillow, California. Vince Crop Dusters, Inc., operated the airplane under the provisions of title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at the Vince Crop Dusters home air strip, Buttonwillow. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while en route to a agriculture application job, the engine exhaust started shaking, then smoke started coming off the engine. The pilot landed on a farm road. During the landing his visibility was limited from the smoke, and the right wheel went off the road into soft mud. The airplane swerved to the right and nosed over. The operator reported that upon examination of the engine it was determined that the number 4 cylinder base nuts had backed off allowing the cylinder to separate from the engine case.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN3626T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorVince Crop Dusters
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 37 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time16:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data