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May 12, 2021 · Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164C · N6596K

Glenn, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 12, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Glenn, CA
Aircraft
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164C (1978)
Tail Number
N6596K
Operator
Jones Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR21LA200

The pilot reported that he departed for the aerial application flight with the fuel gauge indicating a half-full tank of fuel and a full load of product. About 100 ft above ground level, the engine lost total power. The pilot elected to make a forced landing to a narrow dirt frontage road. The airplane landed hard and came to rest upright. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that no usable fuel was present in the center fuel tank nor from the wing fuel tanks. Maintenance personnel reported that they checked the fuel gauge in the cockpit, and it revealed that the center fuel tank was indicating half full. When the float connected to an arm in the center tank was manipulated, the fuel gauge in the cockpit moved but not in a manner coincident with the placement of the float, and that the fuel gauge may have been reporting false quantities of fuel. An engine inspection revealed no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he did not refuel the airplane based on the fuel gauge indications that the fuel tank was half full. Thus, the pilot did not properly manage the airplane’s fuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s fuel mismanagement, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport hard landing.

Full Narrative

On May 12, 2021, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman ACFT ENG COR Schweizer G-164C, N6596K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Glenn, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot reported that the airplane had just departed with the fuel gauge indicating a half-full tank of fuel and a full load of product (2,200 pounds of rice seed). About 100 ft above ground level the engine lost total power. He saw a narrow dirt frontage road in between rice fields and made a forced landing, during which the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright, causing substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that he did not refuel the airplane before the accident flight based on the fuel gauge indications. The operator reported that the center fuel tank, which draws fuel from the two wing tanks was empty of fuel. About 1 gallon of fuel was recovered from the fuel sump. The engine and the fuel systems remained intact and uncompromised. Maintenance personnel reported that they checked the fuel gauge in the cockpit, and it revealed that the center fuel tank was indicating half full. When the float connected to an arm in the center tank was manipulated, the fuel gauge in the cockpit moved but not in a manner coincident with the placement of the float, and that the fuel gauge may have been reporting false quantities of fuel. The engine was sent to a repair facility for overhaul with no discrepancies identified. Further testing of the fuel gauge was not accomplished.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164C
Tail NumberN6596K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJones Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · PT-6-41 · Turboprop
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 F
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time10:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data