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Engine Failure During Climbing Turn Leads to Forced Landing in Rice Field (N7699)

Morse, LA, US

On September 3, 1983, a Grumman G-164A (registration N7699) was involved in an aviation accident near Morse, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: One of three bearings, PN 12768, on the impeller shaft of the engine blower failed, allowing the shaft to shift forward and rub holes in the collector case assembly, which resulted in the engine failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N7699
Aircraft registered N7699. Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Calyponte assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During a climbing turn after takeoff, the engine lost power and began smoking lightly. The pilot dumped the chemical load, cleared power lines, and made a forced landing in a flooded rice field, where the aircraft nosed over. Investigation revealed a failed bearing on the blower impeller shaft.

Event Description

Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was in a climbing turn, the engine lost power and began emitting light smoke. The pilot responded by dumping the chemical load and successfully clearing a set of power lines. Subsequently, the pilot executed a forced landing in a flooded rice field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft nosed over.

Investigation Findings

An investigation into the engine failure identified that one of three bearings, part number 12768, on the impeller shaft of the engine blower had failed. This failure allowed the shaft to shift forward, causing it to rub holes in the collector case assembly. The resulting damage led to the engine failure.

Probable cause

One of three bearings, PN 12768, on the impeller shaft of the engine blower failed, allowing the shaft to shift forward and rub holes in the collector case assembly, which resulted in the engine failure.
Engine failure

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Sept 1983 Grumman G-164A accident near Morse, LA?

During a climbing turn after takeoff, the engine lost power and began smoking lightly. The pilot dumped the chemical load, cleared power lines, and made a forced landing in a flooded rice field, where the aircraft nosed over. Investigation revealed a failed bearing on the blower impeller shaft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Sept 1983 involved a Grumman G-164A, registration N7699, at Morse, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

One of three bearings, PN 12768, on the impeller shaft of the engine blower failed, allowing the shaft to shift forward and rub holes in the collector case assembly, which resulted in the engine failure.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X44532. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.