On February 26, 1988, a Grumman G-164A (registration N4647) operated by Midvalley Dusters was involved in an aviation accident near Alamo, TX. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During climb, pilot experienced total engine power loss with loud bang after initial power reduction. Forced landing and noseover followed by severe ground fire that melted engine. Teardown failed to find cause.
Incident Summary
The pilot experienced a total loss of engine power during climb when he made his initial power reduction. The power loss was accompanied by a loud bang. The subsequent forced landing resulted in the aircraft nosing over. A severe ground fire broke out after the landing, which melted a large portion of the engine.
Engine Examination
A partial engine teardown was performed to investigate the cause of the power loss and the loud bang. The examination revealed that the connecting rods, crankshaft, and other major components remained intact. However, the teardown failed to reveal the cause of the power loss or the loud bang. The extensive heat damage from the post-accident fire complicated the investigation.
Conclusion
The investigation was unable to determine the specific reason for the engine power loss or the source of the loud bang. The engine's internal parts were found to be intact, but the cause of the failure remains unknown.