# NTSB CEN13LA394: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164B, N8187K, Colfax, LA, July 4, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2013, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Colfax, LA - Coordinates: 31.519166, -92.706665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5192&lon=-92.7067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 87399 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA394 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87399/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87399 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA394 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the aerial application flight, the pilot was applying herbicide to a field. The pilot stated that he misjudged the height of a tree on the northwest corner of the field. The airplane hit the tree, rolled inverted, and then impacted the ground. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2013, about 0945 central daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer Aircraft Corporation G-164B airplane, N8187K, was substantially damaged when it hit a tree and then terrain near Colfax, Louisiana. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by Huttos Flying Services LLC., under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The local flight had departed a private strip near Alexandria, Louisiana. During the aerial application flight, the pilot was applying herbicide to a 40-acre field. The pilot stated that he was "trimming up the edges" when he misjudged the height of a Pecan tree on the northwest corner of the field. The airplane hit the tree, rolled inverted, and then impacted the ground. The right wing and right aileron sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8187K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8187K-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 606B, built 1979 (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: 606B - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN2 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Huttos Flying Service LLC - Registered owner: Huttos Flying Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 2013 - Departed: PVT, Alexandria, LA - Destination: PVT, Alexandria, LA - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 4,200 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 4,100 as pilot in command, 400 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: AEX, 15 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 20130704012649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130704012649A), Jul 4, 2013: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Corp GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, Colfax, LA, Destroyed. Pilot was spraying a field, mis-judged height of tree, hit a large pecan tree. Aircraft went spinning to the right straight down and hit the ground. Witness… ## Other investigations on N8187K (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 FTW82DA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA237), Jun 18, 1982: Grumman G164B (N8187K), Beedeville, AR, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87399. 253 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 253 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400220&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. --- 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.