# NTSB CEN11CA174: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164B, N8402K, Walnut Ridge, AR, May 10, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 10, 2011, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Walnut Ridge, AR
- Coordinates: 36.121387, -90.921669 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1214&lon=-90.9217&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78291/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78291
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA174

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a left quartering tailwind and wind gusts.

## Findings

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

- [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while attempting to land his tailwheel equipped airplane in a left-quartering tailwind, he encountered a strong gust of wind and subsequently lost control. The airplane veered off the runway, the left main landing gear sunk in the mud and the airplane nosed over. Both wings, the vertical stabilizer and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems and the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a go-around and landed in the opposite direction.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while attempting to land his tail-wheel equipped airplane in a left-quartering tailwind, he encountered a strong gust of wind and subsequently lost control of the airplane and flipped over. Both wings, the vertical stabilizer and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems and the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a go-around and landed in the opposite direction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8402K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8402K-2024-06-21), registration cancelled 2024-06-21, S/N 687B, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM AM G-164B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 687B
- Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Wilson Flying Service Inc
- Registered owner: Wilson Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: ARG, Walnut Ridge, AR
- Destination: ARG, Walnut Ridge, AR
- Airport: ARG, Walnut Ridge, runway 36

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 24,168 total, 2,055 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20

## 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 20110510007689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110510007689A), May 10, 2011: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Corp GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, Walnut Ridge, AR, Substantial damage. On may 10, 2011, at 0900 CST, N8402K a 1982 Gulfstream Schweizer G-164B registered to wilson flying service, Walnut Ridge Arkansas, crashed on landing at the…

## Other investigations on N8402K (5)

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 CEN15LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA259), Jun 3, 2015: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G 164B (N8402K), Delaplaine, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to establish a proper airspeed and angle-of attack during takeoff in elevated density altitude and light tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
- [NTSB CEN13LA504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA504), Aug 22, 2013: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly set the engine power for takeoff, which resulted in the airplane subsequently settling into terrain.
- [NTSB CHI07CA230](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA230), Jul 23, 2007: Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a collision with terrain immediately after liftoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind and the levee.
- [NTSB CHI07CA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA144), May 14, 2007: Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B (N8402K), Walnut Ridge, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A non-mechanical loss of engine power during the takeoff roll due to fuel contamination. An additional cause was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. A factor in the accident was the soft…
- [NTSB FTW94LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA131), Apr 21, 1994: Gulfstream G-164B (N8402K), Delaplaine, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LOW ALTITUDE AT WHICH THE POWER LOSS OCCURRED.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78291. 489 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 489 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348276&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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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