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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

July 9, 2018 · Grumman G164B · N6696K

Colusa, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 9, 2018
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Colusa, CA
Aircraft
Grumman G164B (1978)
Tail Number
N6696K
Operator
Valley Air Service
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR18LA189

The pilot was performing an aerial application flight when the engine made a popping noise and began to vibrate. The airplane slowed and the pilot initiated a turn toward a nearby runway. The engine subsequently lost total power and the airplane impacted terrain, where it nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. The operator reported that the engine was sent to a repair and overhaul facility following the accident and that no anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

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

Full Narrative

On July 9, 2018, about 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164B airplane, N6696K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Colusa, California. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he was approaching a field to begin the application when the engine made a popping noise and started to vibrate. The airplane slowed and the pilot initiated a turn toward a nearby runway. Since the airplane was still losing speed, the pilot added power, but the vibration increased until the engine lost total power. The airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upside down, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and empennage. The operator reported that the engine was sent to a repair and overhaul facility following the accident. No anomalies were found with the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G164B
Tail NumberN6696K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorValley Air Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt And Whitney · R1340 SERIES · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.03 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data