Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164A accident near Nome, Texas, April 8, 2017
On April 8, 2017 at about 12:50 pm local time, a 1976 Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164A, registered N971QC, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Nome, Texas. 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
An in-flight fire for reasons that could not be determined based on available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 8, 2017 · about 12:50 pm local time
- Place
- Nome, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164A A, built 1976 · all G 164As on the register
- Registration
- N971QC · no longer on the register · serial 1655
- 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 was conducting agricultural operations when he noticed a "burnt wire" smell. He stated that smoke began to fill the cockpit, and he noticed flames outside the airplane. The pilot shut off the fuel selector and conducted a forced landing to a hay field. After landing, the fire consumed the majority of the airplane. Review of maintenance records revealed the airplane's original engine was replaced by a turbine engine under a supplemental type certificate (STC); however, the STC holder did not perform or authorize the installation. Although the STC involved replacing the fuel lines every 5 years, the investigation revealed no records indicating that the fuel lines were replaced in accordance with the STC. Fire damage prevented a detailed examination of the engine installation; therefore, the origin of the fire 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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during after landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (turbine/turboprop) › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 9,000 hours in all; 6,800 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 900 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 4, 2017
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Witney PT6A-27 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Twin County Air-Ag INC
The flight
- Departed from: T90 Winnie TX
- Destination: T90 Winnie TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on July 17, 2017. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance 337 Forms (Excerpt) | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.