On March 31, 1986, a Grumman G-164A (registration N4561) operated by Duane's Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Crowley, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine's number two cylinder cracking and losing compression, which led to a loss of power during agricultural operations. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft engine lost power during agricultural operations, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing that resulted in a crash into wires and a residential house.
What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was preparing for rice seeding operations. During this phase, the engine began to backfire and experienced a significant loss of power. The pilot attempted to return to the agricultural strip but was unable to maintain flight as the engine quit completely. Consequently, the pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed into overhead wires and subsequently struck a house.
The investigation
A post-accident inspection of the engine revealed mechanical failure. Specifically, the number two cylinder was found to be cracked. This structural damage resulted in a loss of compression within that cylinder, which contributed to the backfiring and subsequent power loss observed during the flight.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the accident was the mechanical failure of the engine. The cracked cylinder caused the loss of compression and power, leaving the pilot with no option but to attempt a forced landing in an unsuitable area. The crash into wires and the house was a direct result of this in-flight engine failure.
Probable cause
The engine's number two cylinder cracking and losing compression, which led to a loss of power during agricultural operations.