Grumman G 164 accident near Anadarko, Oklahoma, June 20, 2014
On June 20, 2014 at about 3:35 pm local time, a 1962 Grumman G 164, registered N455Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Anadarko, Oklahoma. 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 while climbing after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2014 · about 3:35 pm local time
- Place
- Anadarko, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G 164 UNDESIGNAT, built 1962 · all G 164s on the register
- Registration
- N455Y · no longer on the register · serial 101
- 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 commercial pilot reported that, on the day before the accident, a mechanic had replaced the radial engine's magneto seals. The pilot performed a successful magneto check and run-up after the magneto seal installation. On the day after the maintenance (accident flight), the engine run-up was normal, and a successful magneto check was performed before takeoff. The agricultural airplane took off with a load of chemicals from a private airstrip. While the airplane was climbing, the engine began to lose power, and as the pilot turned back to the airstrip, the engine lost all power. When the airplane was about 100 ft above the ground, the pilot chose to land the airplane in a small open field. He reported that he thought that the airplane was beginning to stall as he pulled the throttle all the way back and pushed the stick forward. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and flipped over. Review of available engine logbooks did not show any anomalies that would have led to the loss of engine power. The engine was not examined, and the reason for 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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Anadarko OK at 3:30 pm
- Destination: Anadarko OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 4:13 pm from CHK
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.
Other NTSB records under N455Y the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.