# NTSB CEN23LA202: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N6699Q, Wright, LA, May 25, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 25, 2023, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Wright, LA
- Coordinates: 30.00043, -92.374558
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0004&lon=-92.3746&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192239/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192239
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA202

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff with the airplane overloaded which resulted in the airplane settling and subsequently impacting terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Physical workspace: access to equipment/controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015): Environmental issues › Task environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041015/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that before his 12th aerial application flight of the day, the airplane was overloaded with fertilizer due to faulty ground loading equipment. Knowing the airplane was overloaded the pilot decided to dump some of the fertilizer over the grass strip during takeoff. As the airplane reached the point on the grass strip that he felt he could safely stop, the “airplane felt like it was wanting to fly” so he continued the takeoff. As the pilot turned toward the field that he intended to apply the fertilizer to, the airplane settled and impacted in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, empennage, and fuselage, and the engine separated from the airframe. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. No Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 certificate was found for the operator and there was no record of a knowledge and skill test for the pilot as required by 14CFR 137.19.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6699Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6699Q), registered now, S/N 214B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 214B
- Year built: 1977
- Airframe hours: 12141.5
- Engines: Pratt and Whitney R985AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: S & S Aviation LLC
- Registered owner: S & S Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2023, 65 hours before
- Departed: Kaplan, LA
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2022; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 464.1 total, 159.5 in this make and model, 428.7 as pilot in command, 89.9 in the last 90 days, 54.6 in the last 30 days, 10.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: KIYA, 15 nm away
- METAR: METAR KIYA 251435Z AUTO 03007KT 10SM CLR 24/17 A2992 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT E T02370173=

## 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 20230525011109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230525011109A), May 25, 2023: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Kaplin, LA, Destroyed. Pilot operating under CFR part 137 flight rules sucessfully sprayed first tank of chemical fertilizer and landed for refuling and to reload the hopper.…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192239. 6.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15698129&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20CEN23LA202_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15708864&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA202%20Photo%20Array_Redacted-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.

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