On May 2, 1990, a Grumman G-164A (registration N8938H) was involved in an aviation accident near Ville Platte, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO A CRACKED NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER INTAKE ROCKER BOX HOUSING. THE LACK OF A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING SITE WAS A RELATED FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An ag plane spreading seed rice experienced intermittent engine stoppages. The pilot attempted a road landing but settled in a flooded field, flipping inverted. The pilot was uninjured; aircraft demolished.
Incident Description
A commercial pilot was conducting agricultural operations, spreading seed rice on a field. During the second pass across the field, the engine stopped, then resumed power. This sequence of power loss and restoration occurred two more times. The pilot attempted to reach a road for a forced landing but ultimately had to land in a flooded rice field. At touchdown, the airplane flipped forward, coming to rest in an inverted position.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft was demolished. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.
Post-Recovery Findings
After the aircraft was recovered, investigators found that the number four cylinder intake valve rocker box housing was cracked.