On April 20, 1990, a Grumman 164A (registration N5295) operated by Mike Ramsey was involved in an aviation accident near Garwood, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE NUMBER 8 CYLINDER. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After takeoff, a pilot heard a hissing sound, began dumping chemical load, lost all power, stalled from 20 feet, and nosed over on impact. A crack was found in a cylinder's combustion chamber.
Accident Narrative
Shortly after departure, the pilot heard a distinctive hissing sound. Acting promptly, the pilot began jettisoning the chemical load. To maintain airborne flight and complete the dumping process, the pilot kept the nose of the aircraft elevated. While in this attitude, the aircraft suffered a total loss of engine power. Subsequently, the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall at an altitude of roughly 20 feet above the ground. Upon impact with the terrain, the nose of the airplane pitched forward.
Post-Accident Inspection
After the occurrence, an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an on-site examination of the aircraft. The inspection revealed a crack in the combustion chamber area of the number nine cylinder. This crack ran both fore and aft, traversing through the sparkplug holes.