Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN G 164A near Garwood, TX — 2018-04-27

Final reportCEN18LA152
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Date
2018-04-27
Location
Garwood, TX, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
GRUMMAN G 164A
Registration
N6637
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was departing on an agricultural application flight when the engine experienced a partial loss of power shortly after takeoff. The pilot released part of the load of fertilizer and attempted to land in a nearby field. The airplane contacted a levee during the landing, which separated the landing gear. The airplane became airborne again, then settled back onto the ground and subsequently nosed over. The reported weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power; however, the airplane was operating at a high power setting for takeoff. Therefore, it is unlikely that carburetor icing was present. A postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies and the reason for the partial loss of power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have maintained power instead of reducing it during initial climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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