Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN G164 near Elton, LA — 2020-12-01

Final reportCEN21LA072
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Date
2020-12-01
Location
Elton, LA, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN G164
Registration
N48594
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The loss of engine power, which resulted in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, the airplane departed from a local grass strip at near maximum gross weight to fertilize a nearby ryegrass field. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began “running bad," and the pilot added power, but the engine began running worse. The pilot reported the engine then stopped developing power and he made a forced landing in a muddy field about 1/4 mile from the grass strip. The airplane nosed over during the landing and came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and rudder. A postaccident examination of the airplane, which included the fuel system and a functional test of the magnetos, revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the accumulation of carburetor ice while operating at cruise or glide power setting. However, the engine power setting used during the takeoff would have been significantly higher than the cruise or descent engine setting; therefore, it is unlikely that carburetor ice accumulated during the accident takeoff. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when engine began running bad.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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