# NTSB CEN20LA327: Grumman G164, N8105K, Alicia, AR, August 3, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 3, 2020, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Alicia, AR - Coordinates: 35.894443, -91.125831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8944&lon=-91.1258&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 101754 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101754/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101754 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA327 ## Probable cause Inadequate maintenance of panel fasteners, which led to a side panel coming loose during takeoff and the pilot having to make a subsequent forced landing to a flooded rice field when the airplane became difficult to control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuselage: fuselage main structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035310): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035310/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035310/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis During takeoff for an aerial spray flight, the pilot noticed a side panel come loose on the right side of the airplane. When the airplane became difficult to control, the pilot elected to make a forced landing into a flooded rice field, which damaged both wings and fuselage. Examination revealed the fasteners for the side panel and airframe had significant wear, which resulted in the panel coming loose during takeoff. Inadequate maintenance allowed the airworthiness hazard to exist during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 2020, about 1400 central daylight time, a Grumman G164 airplane, N8105K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Alicia, Arkansas. The pilot suffered serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot stated that soon after takeoff from a private airstrip, a side panel came loose on the right side of the airplane. Due to difficulties with controlling the airplane that included an un-commanded pitch up, the pilot elected to make a forced landing into a flooded rice field, which damaged both wings and fuselage. Examination revealed the fasteners for the airframe and side panel both had significant wear, which resulted in the panel coming loose during the flight. The leading edge of the elevator was also found to be rusted and covered with duct tape. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8105K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8105K-2026-09-21), registration cancelled 2026-09-21, S/N 566B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164 (B) - 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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 566B - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 8996 - Engines: Garrett TPE331-1-1012 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Swifton Aviation - Registered owner: Winemiller Steve - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2020 - Departed: PRI, Alicia, AR - Destination: PRI, Alicia, AR - Airport: Pri, runway PRIVATE, 2,680 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2020; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 27,943 total, 25,000 in this make and model, 27,943 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KARG, 17 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 20200803013339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200803013339A), Aug 3, 2020: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Corp GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, Alicia, AR, Destroyed. Was in formed by pilot at rotation right center airframe panel came off and with no more runway continued with takeoff. Pilot stated he had trouble controlling… ## Other investigations on N8105K (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 FTW82DA217](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA217), Jun 8, 1982: Grumman G164B (N8105K), Bono, AR, destroyed ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 25, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101754. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11576926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos of wreckage (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 554 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11576124&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20of%20Wreckage-Rel.pdf - FAA correspondence (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13715294&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Correspondence-Rel.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.