# NTSB ATL94LA104: Grumman G-164B, N6816Q, Memphis, TN, May 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 1994, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.029468, -90.010116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0295&lon=-90.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3388
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3388/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE EARTHEN DIKE DURING THE SWATH RUN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - berm
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION SWATH RUN, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIKE. THE COLLISION RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND DAMAGE TO THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE PILOT DIVERTED TO A HARD SURFACE RUNWAY. DURING THE LANDING SLIDE, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 1994, about 1040 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N6816Q, collided with a dike during an aerial application swath. Subsequently, it nosed over during landing at Memphis, Tennessee. The airplane was operated by Thomas Munn, Jr. and Jim Harris, Jr. under 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Wheatley, Arkansas, about 0800 on the same day.

During the dike collision, the right main landing gear was separated from the airplane, and the left main gear was damaged. The pilot diverted to General Dewitt Spain Airport, at Memphis. During the landing slide on the hard surface runway, the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6816Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6816Q-2002-03-06), registration cancelled 2002-03-06, S/N 320B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320B
- Airframe hours: 4200
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Munn, Thomas, & Harris, Jim
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1994, 160 hours before
- Departed: NONE, WHEATLEY, AR
- Airport: M01, General Dewitt Spain, runway 34, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,864 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,710 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 10 nm away

## 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 19940520012089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940520012089A), May 20, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. Struck a dyke during spray run separated left main gear. Landed hard surface runway. Nosed over.

## Other investigations on N6816Q (2)

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 MIA01LA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA204), Jul 31, 2001: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N6816Q), Edison, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during takeoff resulting in the airplane descending, colliding with the ground, and nosing over.
- [NTSB MIA97LA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA190), Jun 20, 1997: Schweizer G-164B (N6816Q), Edwards, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the distributor drive gear in the right magneto, resulting in loss of engine power and a forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor.

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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