Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164 accident near Myakka, Florida, March 14, 2016
On March 14, 2016 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1978 Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164, registered N6654K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Myakka, Florida. It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 14, 2016 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Myakka, Florida · 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-164 B, built 1978 · all G-164s on the register
- Registration
- N6654K · registry record · serial 409B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot of the agricultural application airplane reported that he was performing a short postmaintenance test flight to verify that the spray system was operating normally. The preflight inspection and takeoff were uneventful; however, during the initial climb, the pilot adjusted the throttle and propeller controls and the engine began to run "rough." Soon after, the engine experienced a total loss of power and the pilot elected to land the airplane straight ahead in a field. The airplane touched down in the field, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. An examination of the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; however, the carburetor could not be examined due to impact damage. Weather conditions were conducive to the development of serious icing at glide power; however, since the accident occurred just after takeoff and at a high engine power setting, it is unlikely that ice had accumulated in the carburetor. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on available evidence.
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 initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,132.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2016; 59 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Southern Air Services LLC
The flight
- Departed from: Myakka FL at 2:00 pm
- Destination: Myakka FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 9,500 ft; a few clouds at 2,900 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from SRQ, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on April 24, 2018. 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 | Memorandum of Record - No NTSB Pilot/operator Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination Notes | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum of Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Log Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Observations | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array | PDF, 2 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.