# NTSB CEN11CA497: Grumman Schweizer G-164A, N5439, North English, IA, July 21, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2011, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: North English, IA - Coordinates: 41.493331, -92.148056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4933&lon=-92.1481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 20, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA497 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA497 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Sensory ability/limitation: visual function](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02011510/cases.md) - [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was attempting a landing into the sun with agricultural chemical on the windshield. He said that a sudden air burst pushed the airplane down, which resulted in a hard landing. The airplane then bounced and impacted the runway causing substantial damage to the fuselage. Weather reports for the area did not indicate the presence of weather that would have resulted in an air burst. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was attempting a landing into the sun with agricultural chemical on the windshield. He said that a sudden air burst pushed the airplane down, which resulted in a hard landing. The airplane then bounced and impacted the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Weather reports for the area did not indicate the presence of weather that would have resulted in an air burst. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5439](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5439-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 1158, 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1158 - Airframe hours: 8554.2 - Engines: Garret AiResearch TPE-331 665 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Kirk Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Kirk Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 16, 2011 - Departed: 7IA1, North English, IA - Destination: North English, IA - Airport: 7IA1, White Pigeon Airport, runway 27, 2,400 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 20, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 30,000 total, 2,508 in this make and model, 29,750 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: AWG, 26 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 20110721014159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110721014159A), Jul 21, 2011: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, North English, IA, Destroyed. The pilot stated he was landing into the setting sun and his vision was obscured by chemical on the windscreen. The pilot said he was not sure of the details… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81192. 12 KB in all. - Weather Reports and Records (item 1, .PDF, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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. --- 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.