On July 2, 1989, a Grumman G-164B (registration N6629Q) operated by Nelson, Kenneth R. was involved in an aviation accident near Stockville, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A broken cylinder in the engine caused total mechanical failure during aerial application operations. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced total engine failure during aerial application operations, forcing an emergency landing that resulted in substantial aircraft damage but no injuries.
What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was conducting aerial application operations. During this phase of flight, the aircraft's engine sustained a total mechanical failure. In response to the loss of power, the pilot initiated an emergency landing attempt. The outcome of this maneuver resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Despite the severity of the mechanical failure and the subsequent crash landing, there were no injuries reported to the pilot.
The investigation
Following the accident, a post-accident investigation was conducted to determine the root cause of the engine failure. Examination of the engine revealed that a cylinder had broken. This structural failure within the engine component was identified as the direct cause of the total mechanical failure experienced during flight.
Findings
The investigation findings indicate that the primary factor in this accident was the internal mechanical breakdown of the engine. Specifically, the broken cylinder led to the immediate loss of engine power. The pilot's decision to attempt an emergency landing was a direct reaction to this sudden mechanical event. While the aircraft sustained substantial damage, the lack of injuries suggests the emergency landing was executed with sufficient control to mitigate personal harm.
Probable cause
A broken cylinder in the engine caused total mechanical failure during aerial application operations.