N8494KSchweizer Aircraft G-164B · 1983

On October 24, 2017, about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer Corp G-164B airplane, N8494K, was substantially damaged during the landing roll at a private airstrip near Tracy, California. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Haley Flying Service of Tracy as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 familiarization flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed the private airstrip about 0900.

In a written statement submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that upon returning to the airport he flew around to the east end of the runway, got the [air]plane slowed down, trimmed for landing and made his approach. The pilot stated that after he had cleared the wires and made the runway, he pulled the power back to idle and glided down the runway, flared and made a smooth landing. The pilot opined that after landing he thought that he had hit a bump, which caused the airplane to bounce, followed by the airplane veering to the left. The pilot added that he tried to use right brake to bring the [air]plane back [to the right], but it felt as though the right brake was [not] effective. The airplane subsequently went off the left side of the runway and into a ditch, which resulted in a sudden engine stoppage, the separation of the right main landing gear, and damage to the lower right wing panel. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

On February 23, 2010, about 1330 Pacific standard time, a Schweizer Aircraft Corporation G-164B, N8494K, experienced a loss of engine power near Byron, California. Haley Flying Service, Inc., operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an agricultural crop dusting operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage after making a forced landing on a soft dirt field and nosing over onto its back. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent in the area, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that after finishing the application flight he initiated a turn towards the airstrip when the engine started to run rough and lose significant power. The pilot turned the airplane into the wind and initiated a forced landing into a deeply furrowed field. As the airplane touched down, the landing gear sunk into the soft ground and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted.

Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed substantial damage to three of the four airplane’s wings, along with the vertical stabilizer and rudder. No visual anomalies were observed with the engine. The spark plugs were removed and appeared normal. The fuel system was examined and found to be clear of water and debris. The engine was started and no anomalies were noted.

The nearest weather reporting station was located at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California, about 12 nautical miles southwest of the accident site. At 1253 it reported, overcast skies at 400 feet; light rain showers; temperature 9 degrees Celsius (C); dew point 7 degrees C; and an altimeter setting of 30.19 inches of mercury.

Review of the carburetor icing probability chart revealed that the temperature and dew point at the time of the accident were conducive to serious icing at cruise power.