Casualties unknown

2000-05-18: Grumman G-164A (N5335) — Biggs, CA

Biggs, CA, US

On May 18, 2000, a Grumman G-164A (registration N5335) was involved in an aviation accident near Biggs, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The broken exhaust valve rocker arm of the number 3 cylinder that resulted in a total loss of engine power during an aerial application flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

While seeding rice on the sixth flight of the day, an airplane's engine lost power, leading to an emergency landing in a flooded, muddy field. The landing rollout caused the main gear to dig into mud, resulting in a nose-over. Inspection revealed a cracked exhaust valve area on cylinder 3.

Accident

During the sixth flight of the day, while engaged in seeding a rice field, the engine of the airplane began to lose power. The pilot executed an emergency landing in an adjacent rice field that was flooded and had muddy conditions. During the landing rollout, the main landing gear wheels dug into the mud, causing the airplane to nose over.

Engine Examination

Following the accident, an examination of the engine was conducted. The inspection revealed that the number 3 cylinder exhaust valve area had a crack that extended from the rocker shaft to the push rod boss area. No further anomalies were observed with the engine beyond this crack.

Conclusion

The investigation into the engine power loss identified a crack in the exhaust valve area of cylinder 3. The emergency landing in the flooded, muddy rice field resulted in the main landing gear digging into the mud, leading to the nose-over. No additional issues were found with the engine.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21045. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.