Grumman G164A-450 N16SS

Summary

On 29 September 1991 at about 05:30 local time, a Grumman G164A-450 registered N16SS, operated by K & K Aerial Applicators Inc., was involved in an accident near Queen Creek, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 September 1991 at 05:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Queen Creek, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Grumman G164A-450

Registration

N16SS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

K & K Aerial Applicators Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Queen Creek → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX91LA413

1 person had minor injuries.

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CYLINDER, PRODUCING A LOSS OF POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOCATION OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH NEXT TO THE LANDING AREA AND A DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL SPRAYING OPERATIONS OVER A COTTON FIELD AT NIGHT. WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A SPRAY RUN, THE PILOT NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE ATTEMPTED TO GAIN ALTITUDE AS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD NEXT TO THE FIELD. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIRPLANE THEN BOUNCED AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT A CYLINDER HAD A CIRCUMFERENTIAL SEPARATION NEAR THE TOP OF THE COOLING FINS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.