Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B near Big Springs, NE — 2012-07-30

Final reportCEN12LA497
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Date
2012-07-30
Location
Big Springs, NE, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B
Registration
N6676Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power as a result of the pilot inadvertently shutting the engine off. Contributing to the accident was the modification to the engine control layout.

NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot adjusted the engine controls of the agricultural airplane for cruise flight. The airplane’s engine then lost power, and the pilot conducted a forced landing in a corn field. The airplane’s engine had previously been converted to another version of the engine. As a result of the conversion, the airplane had a different throttle quadrant; the engine controls were reversed from the previous propeller and mixture layout. The pilot reported that he inadvertently shut the engine off while adjusting the engine for cruise flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have double-checked engine controls before adjusting for cruise flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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