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Accidents · NTSB CEN23LA232 · Final report

Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B accident near Bloomfield, Nebraska, June 7, 2023

On June 7, 2023 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 1976 Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, registered N48485, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Bloomfield, Nebraska (Bloomfield Municipal). 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

A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
June 7, 2023 · about 7:00 pm local time
Place
Bloomfield, Nebraska · Bloomfield Municipal · 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-164B, built 1976 · all G-164Bs on the register
Registration
N48485 · no longer on the register · serial 44B
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 operator reported that the first flight of the day was completed without incident. However, during takeoff for the second flight of the day, the airplane started to lift off the runway but would not climb. The pilot applied full throttle, but the engine did not respond. The airplane went through a fence off the end of the runway and came to rest in a soybean field which resulted in substantial damage to the upper and lower right wings. An engine examination did not reveal any evidence of an uncontained failure or external fire damage. The engine contained multiple indications of power at the time of impact, such as rotational scoring damage by the compressor impellers and turbine blades and earthen material present within the engine. In addition, the torsion shaft was fractured in torsional overload resulting from sudden stoppage due to impact of the propeller. Bench testing determined that the fuel control unit (FCU) cam initially moved axially as the compressor inlet pressure (Pt2) was increased but then stopped moving. Upon disassembly of the fuel control unit, the cam gear was seized in position on the shaft. Metallurgical examination of the camshaft found two depressions on opposite corners of the camshaft slot. The outer camshaft diameter was larger than the specified diameter in the area of the two depressions. The bushing exhibited corresponding areas of wear and distinct gouges along the axis of the bushing and on either side of the shaft slot. One gear tooth on the camshaft exhibited signs of spalling damage and cracking across the entire length of the tooth. The FCU camshaft deformation may have restricted cam translation, which would have reduced metered fuel flow. However, if the camshaft was restricted, the condition would have been present on previous flight(s) since the camshaft translation was a function of altitude changes. It is unlikely that the FCU contributed to the lack of throttle response. A fuel sample taken from the fuel filter bowl consisted of Jet A fuel and water. However, the quantity of water was not consistent with any degradation of engine performance. The investigation was unable to determine the reason for the reduction of engine power during the accident takeoff.

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

  1. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
  2. Unknown or undetermined during takeoff defining event

The NTSB's findings

  • Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Unknown/Not determined

Pilot

  • Certificate: airline transport pilot
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
  • Flight time: 14,657 hours in all; 25 in the last 90 days; 14,657 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: April 11, 2022
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: sngl
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 8,427.8 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2023; 12.8 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 5,500 lb
  • Seats: 1
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Garrett TPE-331-1-151 (turboprop); 14,585 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 84Y Bloomfield NE at 7:00 pm
  • Destination: 84Y Bloomfield NE
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 14, 2,700 ft by 50 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 060° at 6 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: overcast at 11,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
  • Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
  • Observation at 1:56 pm from KYKN, 23 miles away

Weather report (METAR): METAR KYKN 071856Z AUTO 06006KT 10SM SCT080 OVC110 32/14 A2984

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

11 documents, released by the NTSB on March 19, 2025. 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.

The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.

Other NTSB records under N48485 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time

2002-05-10CHI02LA132 · accident near Hordville, NE · substantial damage · no injuries

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.