# Accident 20120521008449A: Grumman G-164D, Nicolaus, CA, May 21, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 21, 2012, 06:37 local time
- Place: Nicolaus, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Operator: NHQG
- Location: 38.9153° N, 121.5503° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9153&lon=-121.5503&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8267K, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8267K-2018-01-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman G-164D (registry code 3952700, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney PT6A series (registry code 52032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164D
- Reported engine: P&W PT6A SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 8,928 total, 1,379 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA220) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120521008449A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON MAY 21, 2012 AT 0637 PDT A 1980 GRUMMAN G-164D TURBO AG CAT N8267K CRASHED INTO A RICE FIELD. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FROM THE AIRFIELD OF FARM AIR INC., A PART 137 OPERATOR, AT 0620 PDT LOADED WITH 1000 LBS. OF ZINC SULFATE. THIS WAS THE FIRST JOB FOR THE DAY. THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED THE JOB AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING TO HIS HOME BASE. AN EYE WITNESS REPORTS SEEING THE AIRCRAFT PULLING UP ALMOST VERTICAL THEN A HARD SNAP RIGHT TURN WAS INITIATED BY THE PILOT FOLLOWED BY A PULL UP. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ALMOST LEVEL WITH VERY LITTLE FORWARD SPEED WHEN IT IMPACTED IN A FLAT ATTITUDE WITH THE WATER FILLED RICE FIELD FACING IN A DIRECTION OF APPROXIMATELY 120 DEGREES. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT COLLAPSED THE WINGS AND DISLODGED THE PILOT SEAT FROM ITS ATTACHMENT POINTS. THE SEAT DROVE AN INVERTER BOX INSTALLED UNDERNEATH IT THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE COCKPIT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR12LA220](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA220), May 21, 2012: Grumman G 164D (N8267K), Nicolaus, CA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a low-altitude maneuver.

## Other reports on N8267K (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19860330021649I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860330021649I), Mar 30, 1986: Grumav STCG164 (N8267K), Mowata, LA, Minor damage. Midway through a spray turn felt a vibration and saw oil on windshield. Returned and found propeller bolts broken.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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