# NTSB ATL87LA099: Grumman G-164, N654Y, Shelbyville, TN, March 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1987, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Shelbyville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.490413, -86.439804 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4904&lon=-86.4398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA099

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - complacency, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spray/dusting equipment - not removed (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - deteriorated (cause)
  - load jettison - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED FROM A DIRT ROAD THAT WAS REPORTEDLY ONLY SLIGHTLY WIDER THAN THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A SPRAYING OPERATION AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT OUT SOME FERTILIZER. HE STATED THAT HE INSTALLED THE SPREADER, BUT LEFT THE SPRAY BOOMS AND PUMP ON THE ACFT SINCE HE ONLY HAD 3 LOADS TO PUT OUT. THE SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF ROLL WAS EXTENDED AND THE RT SPRAY BOOM STRUCK A DIRT BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PLT RAISED THE RT WING AND BEGAN TO DUMP THE ACFT'S LOAD OF FERTILIZER. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK SOME BUSHES. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE LT WING STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN INVERTED, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT LATER REPORTED TO THE FAA THAT THE ACFT WAS 'JUST TOO HEAVY'.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N654Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N654Y-1989-09-13), registration cancelled 1989-09-13, S/N 262 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 262
- Airframe hours: 7484
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Charles T. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1987

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 14,300 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 13,500 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °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 19870327007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870327007709A), Mar 27, 1987: Scwzer G164, Shelbyville, TN, Destroyed. The aircraft struck terrain during takeoff from a road. Aircraft was above gross weight.

## Other investigations on N654Y (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 FTW68F0083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0083), Jul 3, 1967: Grumman G-164 (N654Y), Raywood, TX, 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.

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