On June 8, 1990, a Grumman-schweizer G-164B (registration N6725K) operated by Vince Crop Duster, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Buttonwillow, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE #7 CYLINDER DUE TO A PRE-EXISTING CRACK. THE TERRAIN CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an aerial application swath run, the pilot heard a loud backfire and the engine quit. Attempting a landing on a dirt road, the aircraft landed short in a tomato field and nosed over. Examination revealed a cracked number 7 cylinder head with contamination indicating the crack existed for a lengthy period.
Incident Overview
While completing an aerial application swath run, the pilot heard a loud backfire emanating from the engine during the pull-up. Immediately thereafter, the engine quit running altogether. The pilot attempted to make a landing on a dirt road but landed short in a tomato field, causing the aircraft to nose over onto its back.
Engine Examination
A post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the number 7 cylinder head had a crack. The crack extended from the forward spark plug boss around the cylinder head to the rear spark plug boss. A detailed examination of the crack showed that the fracture face was contaminated by carbon deposits and light corrosion in the coarse area of the crack, indicating that the crack was present for a lengthy period of time prior to the accident. The cylinder was reported to have only 181 hours since overhaul.
What happened in the 8 Jun 1990 Grumman-schweizer G-164B accident near Buttonwillow, CA?
During an aerial application swath run, the pilot heard a loud backfire and the engine quit. Attempting a landing on a dirt road, the aircraft landed short in a tomato field and nosed over. Examination revealed a cracked number 7 cylinder head with contamination indicating the crack existed for a lengthy period.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 8 Jun 1990 involved a Grumman-schweizer G-164B, registration N6725K, operated by Vince Crop Duster, Inc., at Buttonwillow, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
FAILURE OF THE #7 CYLINDER DUE TO A PRE-EXISTING CRACK. THE TERRAIN CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…