# NTSB ANC06CA039: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N5397, Dixon, CA, March 30, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 30, 2006, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Dixon, CA - Coordinates: 38.455833, -121.837776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4558&lon=-121.8378&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 63421 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06CA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63421/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06CA039 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain altitude/clearance during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather, and unfavorable winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - muddy - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot reported that after liftoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, he kept the airplane in ground effect to accelerate and clear wires at the end of the runway. He said the airplane would not climb high enough to clear the wires, and he elected to turn away from them. After initiating the turn, it became evident he could not turn quickly enough, and he decided to fly under the wires. While flying under the wires, the main landing gear wheels contacted mud, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that he departed the gravel airstrip with about a 5 knot tailwind. Another pilot he spoke with said the tailwind increased to about 25 knots at the height of the wires (30 feet). The accident pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The commercial certificated pilot reported that after liftoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, he kept the airplane in ground effect to accelerate and clear wires at the end of the runway. He said the airplane would not climb high enough to clear the wires, and he elected to turn away from them. After initiating the turn, it became evident he could not turn quickly enough, and he decided to fly under the wires. While flying under the wires, the main landing gear wheels contacted mud, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that he departed the gravel airstrip with about a 5 knot tailwind. Another pilot he spoke with said the tailwind increased to about 25 knots at the height of the wires (30 feet). The accident pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5397](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5397-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 1151, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1151 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Dixon Aviation, doing business as Dixon Aviation - Registered owner: Trinkle & Boys Ag Flying - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: Dixon, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; last flight review July 1, 2005; flight hours: 3,100 total, 700 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060330006619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060330006619A), Mar 30, 2006: Scwzer G164A, Dixon, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During a take-off, the pilot of the aircraft felt the aircraft settling towards the ground. The pilot attempted to fly under some wires because he did… ## Other investigations on N5397 (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 DEN81DTM40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTM40), Jul 14, 1981: Grumman AG-CAT (N5397), Park Valley, UT, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.