Schweizer G164D accident near Richvale, California, May 17, 1998
On May 17, 1998 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Schweizer G164D, registered N8177K, was destroyed in an accident near Richvale, California (Thompson Strip airport). 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
The separation of four compressor/turbine blades resulting in a sudden loss of engine power with a subsequent forced landing into unsuitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1998 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Richvale, California · Thompson Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer G164D
- Registration
- N8177K · no longer on the register · serial 8D
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On takeoff, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power preceded by the sound of loud 'pop.' He completed a forced landing on soft ground and the aircraft nosed over. During the post-accident teardown inspection of the engine, it was noted that four compressor/turbine blades had failed at the blade/butt interface. The failed blades were not standard manufacturer's replacement parts.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 37,000 hours in all; 8,000 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,628 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 25, 1998; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A-34AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT CA at 6:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 2,000 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:47 pm from CIC, 18 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.