# NTSB CEN13LA533: Grumman G-164A, N7843, Atlantic, IA, September 6, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2013, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Atlantic, IA - Coordinates: 41.390102, -95.009849 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3901&lon=-95.0098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - 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): 87997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA533 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87997/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87997 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA533 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delay in releasing product to reduce the airplane’s weight and improve its climb performance, which was reduced because of the high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Grumman G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=3952704), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was fueled to capacity (400 gallons) and that the hopper contained 1,200 pounds of seed. The airplane weighed 5,134 pounds at takeoff, or 866 pounds below maximum gross takeoff weight. The pilot said that he had no difficulty taking off, but after reaching 500 feet and turning north toward the field to be sprayed, the airplane began to slowly lose altitude. Believing he would be unable to clear an approaching tree line, he opened the leveler and the seed slowly began to dump. As he pulled up to avoid the trees, the airplane stalled, hit the trees, and impacted a bean field. As the ambient air temperature was in excess of 90 degrees F, the airplane's performance would have been reduced by the high density altitude. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2013, about 1525 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N7843, impacted trees and a bean field 2-1/2 miles west of Atlantic, Iowa. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post-impact fire. The airplane was registered to and operated by Shenandoah Flight Service, Inc., Atlantic, Iowa, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Atlantic, Iowa, about 1510. The pilot said he had no difficulty taking off into a strong headwind but upon reaching 500 feet and turning north towards the field to be sprayed, the airplane began to slowly lose altitude. Believing he would be unable to clear an approaching tree line, he opened the leveler and the product slowly began to dump. As he pulled up to avoid the trees, the airplane stalled, hit the trees, and impacted a bean field. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who went on-scene, the pilot was flying south and spraying the field. He pulled up but did not clear the trees and stalled. The airplane broke several tree limbs and crashed in a field to the south. The inspector said the ambient air temperature was in excess of 90 degrees F. The airplane had several modifications incorporated to increase its gross weight to 6,000 pounds, such as adding 20 inches to each wing tip. The FAA inspector said the latter was an authorized modification. The pilot said that prior to takeoff, the airplane was fueled to capacity (400 gallons, or 2,400 pounds), and the hopper was filled with 1,200 pounds of rye, radish, and turnip seed. He said the airplane weighed 5,134 pounds at takeoff, or 866 pounds below maximum gross takeoff weight. According to NTSB documents, the pilot was involved in another aircraft accident four months earlier. On May 7, 2013, while spraying a field a wheat field near Lyons, Kansas, the airplane, a Cessna A188B, N731JF, lost engine power. The right wing struck the ground and was almost completely severed from the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7843](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7843-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 790, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 790 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 3995 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Shenandoah Flight Service Inc - Registered owner: Shenandoah Flight Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2013 - Departed: KAIO, ATLANTIC, IA - Destination: KAIO, ATLANTIC, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 721 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KSDA ## 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 20130906020139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130906020139A), Sep 6, 2013: Grumman G-164A, Atlantic, IA, Destroyed. The pilot was performing a pull up maneuver while conducting aerial application and stuck a row of trees located at the end of a field. The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N7843 (4) 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 FTW83LA107](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA107), Jan 8, 1983: Grumman G164A-450 (N7843), Clyde, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW82DA177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA177), May 13, 1982: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Elreno, OK, destroyed - [NTSB MKC73FER12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC73FER12), Aug 17, 1972: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Hollandale, MN, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA72FKQ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA72FKQ09), Aug 12, 1971: Grumman G-164A (N7843), Swan Lake, MS, substantial damage ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87997. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot's Statement to FAA (item 1, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402599&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20to%20FAA-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement and Crash Site Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20and%20Crash%20Site%20Diagram-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406868&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Map of Accident Area (item 4, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402598&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Line of trees struck by N7843. (item 6, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Line%20of%20trees%20struck%20by%20N7843.-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Grove of trees and airplane afire in background. (item 7, .PDF, 881 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Grove%20of%20trees%20and%20airplane%20afire%20in%20background.-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - First responders extinguishing fire. (item 8, .PDF, 851 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20First%20responders%20extinguishing%20fire.-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - The airplane wreckage, still afire. (item 9, .PDF, 764 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402626&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20The%20airplane%20wreckage,%20still%20afire.-Master.PDF - Photo 5 - Wreckage of N7843 after fire was extinguished. (item 10, .PDF, 202 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Wreckage%20of%20N7843%20after%20fire%20was%20extinguished.-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.