# NTSB CEN23LA212: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N6678Q, Light, AR, May 29, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2023, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Light, AR
- Coordinates: 36.041098, -90.723104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0411&lon=-90.7231&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: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Little Rock FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192278/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192278
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA212

## Probable cause

The pilot exceeding the climb capability of the airplane during takeoff which led to it settling into the ground.

## 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: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3952802), [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: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that on departure, the airplane settled to the ground and struck a levee. The airplane came to rest upside down in a field about 100 feet from the point of impact. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from a private turf/dirt strip used only for agricultural operations. The pilot reported that the airplane was about 320 pounds below its maximum gross weight of 6,070 lbs., that the density altitude at the time of the accident was about 2,000 feet msl, and that he turned “a little premature” after taking off with a full load of fertilizer.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6678Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6678Q-2024-09-07), registration cancelled 2024-09-07, S/N 199B, 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: 199B
- Year built: 1977
- Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hds Inc
- Registered owner: Hds Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 2022
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KARG, 11 nm away
- METAR: KARG 291556Z AUTO VRB04KT 10SM CLR 24/14 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP164 T02440139

## 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 20230529003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230529003419A), May 29, 2023: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Paragould, AR, Substantial damage. Interviewed the pilot and ground support, investigation found the following: The pilot was taking off from off-airport runway, making a slight right turn after…

## Other investigations on N6678Q (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 FTW96LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA232), May 31, 1996: Grumman G-164B (N6678Q), Newport, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from the power line.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192278. 8.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15690456&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20N6678Q_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15690236&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, operator (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15800280&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20-%20Songer-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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