Grumman G-164 accident near Somerville, Tennessee, October 4, 2006
On October 4, 2006 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Grumman G-164, registered N493Y, was destroyed in an accident near Somerville, Tennessee (Fayette County airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 2006 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Somerville, Tennessee · Fayette County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164 · all G-164s on the register
- Registration
- N493Y · no longer on the register · serial 137
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial application flight. He stated that about half way through the third turn-around maneuver a gradual loss of power occurred. He added full throttle but did not notice the difference in the engine sound or the power output. He made a forced landing into a small field of trees and the airplane collided with the ground. The pilot exited the airplane, and an immediate post-crash fire consumed the airplane. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that all components for flight were located at the crash site. An examination of the engine revealed that all of its components were heavily fire damaged, and an engine examination could not be facilitated due to the fire damage. Due to the engine fire damage the cause of the loss of power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all; 92 in this make and model; 95 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 970 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,081 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2006; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,095 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985-14B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: FYE Somerville TN at 10:50 pm
- Destination: Somerville TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 9,500 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from KMEM, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.