Grumman G164 N6569

Summary

On 9 August 2024 at about 21:00 local time, a Grumman G164 registered N6569, operated by Bennett Farms & Flying Service, was involved in an accident near Dyess, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 2024 at 21:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Dyess, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

35.5906, -90.1832

Aircraft

Grumman G164

Registration

N6569

Category

Airplane

Year built

1970

Engines

1

Operator

Bennett Farms & Flying Service

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA313

Nobody was injured.

The improper overhaul of the carburetor and the malfunction of left magneto which resulted in a partial loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after departure for the aerial application flight, the engine was operating but was not producing adequate horsepower, and the airplane was unable to maintain altitude. The pilot then maneuvered under power lines and executed a forced landing to a rice field. The airplane nosed over in the rice crop and sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. According to the pilot’s weight and balance calculation, at the time of the accident, the airplane was about 350 pounds under the maximum gross weight. The pilot reported that he experienced a similar partial loss of engine power about a week before, but he was able to continue flight by jettisoning the load. No maintenance was performed following that flight. Postaccident examination of the engine found that left magneto would not produce spark, and the carburetor throttle shaft was seized due to foreign material inside a bushing. The reason for the left magneto not able to produce spark was not determined. Disassembly of the carburetor found that the economizer needle was incorrect part. In addition, the graphite packing on the economizer needle was excessively tight, which affected the needle spring’s ability to properly seat the needle in a downward position. It was likely that the economizer needle being allowed to remain in an upward position would result in overly rich fuel mixture. The carburetor was overhauled about 23 hours prior to the accident. The combination of an overly rich fuel mixture and a problem with the ignition system could then result in a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.