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July 2, 2016 · Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164 B · N6781K

Laurel, DE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 2016
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Laurel, DE
Aircraft
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164 B (1978)
Tail Number
N6781K
Operator
Air Enterprises
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16LA242

The commercial pilot was completing the last pass of an aerial application flight between 20 and 60 ft above the ground when he heard a "loud bang" followed by a loss of engine power. He turned the airplane into the wind and set up for a forced landing in a corn field. The airplane landed on the corn and soft soil and nosed over, resulting in structural damage to the upper wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Examination revealed that a bird struck the spray pump fan assembly, shattering the blades and sending blade fragments through the lower engine cowling. The blade fragments struck the engine throttle linkage, bending and rotating it to the idle/cutoff position, which resulted in the total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

A total loss of engine power due to an encounter with a bird, which collided with the spray pump fan assembly and subsequently sent blade fragments into the engine compartment, damaging the throttle linkage.

Full Narrative

On July 2, 2016, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6781K, was substantially damaged when it nosed over following a forced landing to a farm field in Laurel, Delaware. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to the pilot and operated by Air Enterprises LLC under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from Johnsons Airport, Magnolia, Delaware (DE09), about 1000. The pilot reported that he was making the last application pass about 20 to 60 feet above the ground when he heard a "loud bang" followed by a loss of engine power. He turned about 40 to 60 degrees to the left, into the wind, and set up for a forced landing in a corn field. The airplane landed on the corn and soft soil and nosed over. The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land, airplane single-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. The pilot held a first class medical certificate and reported 6,700 total hours of flying experience, including 5,000 hours in the accident airplane's make and model. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Structural damage to the upper wing and vertical stabilizer and rudder was confirmed. Further examination revealed that the spray pump fan assembly was shattered, and pieces of the wooden fan blades penetrated the lower engine cowling. Bird feathers were also found inside the engine compartment, adjacent to the fan blade pieces. There was impact damage to the engine throttle linkage, which resulted in it bending and rotating to the idle/cutoff position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164 B
Tail NumberN6781K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Enterprises
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt And Whitney · R-1340 S3H1-G · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 7 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter30.04 inHg
Observation Time14:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data