Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 8, 1995, approximately 0830 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Grumman G-164A, N8946H, nosed over during an attempted forced landing in a field about 15 miles north of Burley, Idaho. The commercial pilot was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aerial application flight, which departed Burley Municipal Airport about 20 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT transmission.
According to the operator, the aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power during an application run, and the pilot attempted a forced landing in the field he was spraying. When the aircraft touched down on the soft dirt of the furrowed field, it encountered a pile of rocks and nosed over.
The engine was disassembled by Aero Engines, Inc.. They noted that the rear throw of the crankshaft had failed due to fatigue.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA95LA138