Grumman-Schweizer G-164A accident near Penn Yan, New York, August 6, 2005
On August 6, 2005 at about 1:12 pm local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, registered N48395, was substantially damaged in an accident near Penn Yan, New York (Penn Yan 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 loss of engine power due to a fatigue fractured pushrod.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 2005 · about 1:12 pm local time
- Place
- Penn Yan, New York · Penn Yan Airport · 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
- N48395 · no longer on the register · serial 1628
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after takeoff, as the pilot turned onto the crosswind leg of the traffic pattern and reduced engine power, the engine "went silent." The pilot initiated a descent and performed a forced landing to rough, uneven terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. Examination of the radial engine revealed the number 3 exhaust valve was fractured, due to fatigue. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed the engine was last overhauled approximately 7 years prior to the accident, and that the engine accumulated approximately 963 hours of operation since the overhaul. Additionally, an entry dated July 30, 2005, revealed a bird's nest was removed from the induction system.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 2,215 in this make and model; 31 in the last 90 days; 31 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PEO Penn Yan NY at 1:05 pm
- Destination: PEO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from PEO
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.
Other NTSB records under N48395 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.