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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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NTSB Report

August 12, 2015 · Grumman G 164B · N311AL

Sac City, IA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 12, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sac City, IA
Aircraft
Grumman G 164B (1977)
Tail Number
N311AL
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15LA377

The airline transport pilot reported that he changed the engine oil the night before the accident flight. The next day, he performed a normal engine run-up and then departed on the agricultural application flight. The airplane's tail lifted when the airplane reached 60 mph, and the airplane then accelerated to 80 mph. Shortly after getting airborne, the pilot felt that the airplane was not performing as it should be and that the engine power was decreasing. He advanced the engine controls full forward and selected a cornfield for the forced landing. The pilot reported that he thought that the engine's blower/supercharger had failed because the engine did not stop but did seem to lose power. An engine examination was not performed; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

Full Narrative

On August 12, 2015, about 1600 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B agricultural airplane, N311AL, lost engine power shortly after take-off near Sac City, Iowa. The pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. According to the pilot, he changed the engine oil the night before and completed a 45 minute engine run. On the accident day, he performed a normal run-up and everything appeared normal. He noted a 50 rpm drop per magneto during the engine run-up. He then departed down the runway and lifted the tail at 60 mph and accelerated to 80 mph. Shortly after getting airborne, he felt the airplane was not preforming as it should. The airplane was able to climb over a set of wires, but the engine power faded. He advanced the engine controls full forward, and then selected a cornfield to perform the forced landing in. During the landing, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Due to the un-harvested corn field, the airplane remained on site until about November 7, so an engine examination was not performed. The pilot added that he thought the engine's blower/supercharger had failed, since the engine didn't stop, but seemed to lose power. A completed NTSB 6120 form was not returned by the operator.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G 164B
Tail NumberN311AL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · 985 · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.18 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data