On July 11, 1986, a Grumman G-164A (registration N4842B) was involved in an aviation accident near Abbeville, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from the examination, though moisture in the ignition harness was suspected due to prior exposure to rain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced a sudden loss of engine power and executed a forced landing in a wet pasture, resulting in the aircraft flipping inverted.
What happened
The pilot reported experiencing an unexpected loss of engine power during flight. In response to the emergency, the pilot initiated a forced landing procedure. The aircraft landed in a wet pasture area. Upon impact, the aircraft flipped over and came to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
A subsequent examination of the aircraft's engine was conducted to determine the cause of the power loss. The inspection failed to reveal any mechanical reason for the failure. However, the owner of the aircraft provided additional context regarding the circumstances leading up to the event. The owner noted that the aircraft had been sitting in the rain for several days prior to the accident. Based on this exposure, the owner suspected that moisture may have entered the ignition harness.
Findings
The primary finding is the unexplained loss of engine power. While mechanical failure was not identified during the examination, the environmental conditions suggest a potential electrical issue related to moisture intrusion in the ignition system.
Probable cause
Loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined from the examination, though moisture in the ignition harness was suspected due to prior exposure to rain.