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July 20, 2012 · Grumman G-164A · N4638

Fergus Falls, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fergus Falls, MN
Aircraft
Grumman G-164A
Tail Number
N4638
Operator
West Central Ag-Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA491

The pilot was spraying a large corn field when he saw a puff of white smoke come from the engine. He turned toward a road, but about half way through the turn, the engine lost all power. The pilot jettisoned the chemical load and landed in the corn field. Examination of the radial engine revealed the No. 2 cylinder head was cracked. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that a mandatory Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive that required a 100-hour visual inspection to prevent cylinder head cracking, had been complied with at the last annual inspection, but no entries were made that any cracks were observed.

NTSB Probable Cause

Personnel issues-Task performance-Maintenance-Scheduled/routine maintenance-Maintenance personnel

Full Narrative

On July 17, 2012, approximately 2000 central daylight time, N4638, a Grumman G-164A airplane was substantially damaged when it made a forced landing to a corn field after a loss of engine power near Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by West Central AG-AIR Incorporated, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the agricultural aircraft operation flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The flight originated at the Wheaton Municipal Airport (ETH), Wheaton, Minnesota, approximately 1945. The pilot said he was on his fifth spraying pass when he saw a puff of white smoke come from the engine. He turned off the chemical sprayer and turned toward a road. About half way through the turn, the pilot observed more smoke followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot jettisoned the chemical load and landed in the corn field. The airplane nosed-over after landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the upper wings, rudder and vertical stabilizer. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airworthiness inspector examined the Pratt & Whitney R1340 radial engine and found that the No. 2 cylinder head was cracked. A review of the maintenance logbooks revealed that FAA Airworthiness Directive 99-11-02, which required a 100-hour visual inspection of cylinder heads for cracking, was complied with at the last annual inspection. No entires were made that cracks were observed during this inspection. Further review of the logbooks revealed that the AD had not been complied with for 253 hours prior to the annual inspection.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164A
Tail NumberN4638
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWest Central Ag-Air
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R1340 SERIES · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data