Grumman-Schweizer G-164A accident near Lubbock, Texas, July 2, 1998
On July 2, 1998 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, registered N8866H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lubbock, Texas. It was a ferry flight 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
The loss of engine power due to the collapsed of the engine induction air ducting. Factors were the inadequate maintenance inspection and the lack of suitable terrain for the pilot to execute the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 1998 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Lubbock, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
- Registration
- N8866H · registry record · serial 1553
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 800 hour pilot reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge that shortly after a normal takeoff, the engine sputtered and coughed during the initial takeoff climb. The engine then operated normally for about 10 seconds, then it sputtered and backfired for another 15 seconds, until the engine stopped developing power. During the landing roll, the main landing gear dug into the soft dirt and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. A detailed examination of the engine induction air system revealed evidence of a previous engine induction system fire. The rubber induction air sleeve (P/N: A1535-13) was found charred and burned. The inspector stated that the restriction on airflow to the carburetor during a period of high power demand due to the collapsing of the air induction sleeve resulted in the loss of engine power. The airplane's total time in service was reported as 3,572 hours. The airplane had accumulated 7 hours since its last annual inspection.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 800 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,572 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 1998; 7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985-AN14B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LBB at 7:25 pm
- Destination: T65 Weslaco TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 13 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:32 pm from LBB, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.