| Crash location | 44.095000°N, 120.943333°W |
| Nearest city | Alfalfa, OR
44.077343°N, 121.016965°W 3.9 miles away |
| Tail number | N4863 |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 17 Feb 2015 |
| Aircraft type | Grumman Acft Eng COR-SCHWEIZER G 164A |
| Additional details: | None |
On February 17, 2015, at 1819 Pacific standard time, a Grumman Aircraft Eng. Corp-Schweizer G-164A airplane, N4863, experienced a loss of engine power during takeoff on a local area flight from the Goering Ranches Airport (50OR), Alfalfa, Oregon. The commercial pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provision of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a maintenance test flight. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed 50OR about 1815.
According to the pilot, the airplane had been in storage for the past 2 years. He stated that he was also an airframe and power plant mechanic with inspection authorization privileges, and he had recently finished an annual inspection of the airplane. His intent was to perform a maintenance return to service flight. The pilot stated that the airplane had 25 gallons of fuel on board. He performed two 45-minute run-ups with no discrepancies encountered. The pilot stated that he then readied the airplane for the maintenance flight.
After takeoff, the engine sputtered and lost power. The pilot returned to land at 50OR, but overran the runway. The airplane struck a tire, and came to rest inverted, which caused structural damage to the tail section.
The pilot/owner did not return the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 titled Pilot Operator Accident/Incident Form.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, inspected the airplane, and performed an engine run-up. The visual inspection revealed that the propeller blades were bent, but there was enough clearance to perform an engine run. Fuel samples were obtained from both wings and the sump; the fuel samples were free of debris, and no water was present. The engine started with no issues, and the engine was run at 700 rpm. They were able to perform a magneto check during the engine run with no discrepancies encountered. They were not able to perform the run up at a higher rpm, due to engine vibration.
A total loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, because examination of the engine did not reveal any mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.