Grumman G-164B accident near Colfax, Washington, May 4, 2009
On May 4, 2009 at about 11:20 pm local time, a Grumman G-164B, registered N6628Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Colfax, Washington (Colfax 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
A total loss of engine power due to excessive wear in several carburetor components that led to a malfunction of the carburetor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2009 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Colfax, Washington · Colfax · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164B · all G-164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6628Q · registry record · serial 154B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the airplane was about 100 feet above ground level following takeoff when the engine lost power. He landed straight ahead in a muddy dirt field. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and the engine separated from the airframe. Postaccident examination of the engine core revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the carburetor revealed that the bushings on the throttle shaft and pump stem were worn, which allowed excessive play. The economizer linkage was also found to be loose; there was evidence of fretting on the mating surface to the engine and around the mounting bolt holes. The carburetor fuel screen was clean. The floats exhibited hydraulic crush damage consistent with fuel in the bowl, and the accelerator pump was worn. Based on the findings of the postaccident examination, excessive wear of the carburetor likely led to the loss of engine power.
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 takeoff defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Malfunction
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Wet/muddy › Effect on equipment
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,170 hours in all; 503 in this make and model; 119 in the last 90 days; 65 in the last 30 days; 979 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 27, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,447 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 15, 2009; 116 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,148 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S94 Colfax WA at 11:20 pm
- Destination: S94 Colfax WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 3,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from KPUW, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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 N6628Q 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.