Grumman G-164A accident near Harviell, Missouri, July 25, 1989
On July 25, 1989 at about 11:15 pm local time, a Grumman G-164A, registered N48426, was substantially damaged in an accident near Harviell, Missouri. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO AVOID UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLL AFTER A FORCED LANDING. THE FORCED LANDING WAS MADE NECESSARY BY A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER CAUSED BY A FOREIGN OBJECT RESTRICTING THE FUEL SYSTEM.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 1989 · about 11:15 pm local time
- Place
- Harviell, Missouri · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164A · all G-164As on the register
- Registration
- N48426 · no longer on the register · serial 1635
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
JUST AFTER LIFTOFF, THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER & A FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 300 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, THEN COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED SEVERAL SMALL MELTED BALLS OF SOLDER IN THE CARBURETOR, RESTRICTING THE FUEL FLOW. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN A CARBURETOR INTAKE FIRE WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SOLDER TO MELT.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 23,300 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rh & Rh, INC.
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Harviell MO at 11:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from CGI, 60 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.