# NTSB CEN09CA516: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, N4598, Harlan, IA, August 10, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 10, 2009, 10:35 local (15:35 UTC)
- Place: Harlan, IA
- Coordinates: 41.584999, -95.343887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5850&lon=-95.3439&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-DSM-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA516
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74507/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74507
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA516

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to perform accurate weight and balance calculations which resulted in exceeding the maximum takeoff weight and the airplane's climb capability.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Planning/preparation: weight/balance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061015/cases.md)
- [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Other: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane would not climb out of ground effect during takeoff. The airplane settled into a corn field located off the end of the 3,100-foot-long asphalt runway. The left landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The maximum certified gross weight of the airplane was 4,500 pounds with a basic empty weight of 3,093.8 pounds. The airplane was loaded with 80 gallons of fuel (480 pounds) and 170 gallons (1,419.5 pounds) of water/chemical mix. The pilot's weight was approximately 185 pounds. The airplane was approximately 678.3 pounds over the maximum gross weight at the time of the takeoff.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported the airplane would not climb out of ground effect during takeoff. The airplane settled into a corn field located off the end of the 3,100 foot long asphalt runway. The left landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The maximum certified gross weight of the airplane was 4,500 pounds with a basic empty weight of 3,093.8 pounds. The airplane was loaded with 80 gallons of fuel (480 pounds) and 170 gallons (1,419.5 pounds) of water/chemical mix. The pilot's weight was approximately 185 pounds. The airplane was approximately 678.3 pounds over the maximum gross weight at the time of the takeoff.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4598](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4598-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 1068 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-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: 1068
- Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Paulsen Ag Spraying
- Registered owner: Paulsen Ag Spraying
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: HNR, Harlan, IN
- Destination: HNR, Harlan, IN
- Airport: HNR, Harlan Municipal Airport, runway 33, 4,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 12, 2008; seat: single; flight hours: 345 total, 39 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 86 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 30 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 20090810014879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090810014879A), Aug 10, 2009: Scwzer G164A, Harlan, IA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft took off on runway 33 and never left ground effect. The aircraft flew into the corn field at the end of the runway and flipped over.…

## Other investigations on N4598 (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 CHI01LA286](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA286), Aug 16, 2001: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A (N4598), Petersburg, NE, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the engine cylinder, and the unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot. Factors were the low altitude and the muddy field.
- [NTSB FTW79DRG40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRG40), Jun 13, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N4598), Raymondville, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74507. 861 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 662 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Shelby County Sheriff's Report (item 2, .PDF, 199 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Shelby%20County%20Sheriff%27s%20Report-Master.PDF

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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