Grumman G164 accident near Higginson, Arkansas, June 7, 2012
On June 7, 2012 at about 6:15 pm local time, a Grumman G164, registered N779EF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Higginson, Arkansas. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to impact and fire damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2012 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Higginson, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G164 B · all G164s on the register
- Registration
- N779EF · no longer on the register · serial 474B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was departing the local airstrip to perform an aerial application. About 50 feet above ground level, the pilot noticed a partial loss of engine power and felt a vibration from the engine. The pilot performed a forced landing in a wheat field, and a postimpact fire ensued, which consumed the airplane. Based on his observations during the engine failure, the pilot suspected a cylinder or magneto failure. However, the engine was not disassembled for further examination and the cause of the partial loss of engine power was not 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
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5,939 hours in all; 5,337 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 5,939 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 12, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 502 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 8, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 6,075 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-2 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: J P Freppon Flying Service, LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Higginson AR at 6:15 pm
- Destination: PVT Higginson AR
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from SRC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.