# NTSB CEN23LA228: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164, N8405K, Saffell, AR, May 31, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 31, 2023, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Saffell, AR · Near a private airstrip.
- Coordinates: 35.934087, -91.2504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9341&lon=-91.2504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- 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 Little Rock FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192317/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192317
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA228

## Probable cause

The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil after takeoff, which resulted in a loss of lift, and a subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was the presence of a dust devil in the airplane’s flight path.

## Findings

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

- [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)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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)
- [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md)
- [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md)
- [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); 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)
- [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Hazardous material leak/spill](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/450/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff on an aerial application flight to apply fertilizer to rice fields in a remote area the airplane unknowingly flew through a dust devil (also called a whirlwind), and subsequently lost lift. The pilot estimated the dust devil was between 8 to 10 ft in diameter and reported no visible debris. The airplane subsequently impacted a dirt ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The pilot was able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. The operator reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he had encountered several dust devils in earlier flights that day for the operating area. The pilot did not perform a hopper load dump during the accident sequence, as he reported flying the airplane was the priority. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation (FAA) Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28) and the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual found no detailed information listed about dust devils or the potential hazards of flying through dust devils.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8405K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8405K), registered now, S/N 688B, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164 (B)
- 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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 688B
- Year built: 1982
- Airframe hours: 12146
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mj Aviation Inc, doing business as Mj Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 23, 2023
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2021; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 16,038 total, 15,669 in this make and model, 15,915 as pilot in command, 145 in the last 90 days, 115 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KARG, 3 nm away
- METAR: KARG 312156Z AUTO 14006KT 10SM FEW002 SCT110 31/16 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP135 T03060161

## 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 20230531003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230531003429A), May 31, 2023: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Walnut Ridge, AR, Substantial damage. During the accident sequence the pilot felt the aircraft losing altitude during the takeoff climb. The pilot noticed no change in engine performance but felt…

## Other investigations on N8405K (2)

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 FTW93LA167](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA167), May 26, 1993: Grumman G-164B (N8405K), Stuttgart, AR, destroyed. Probable cause: PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRES.
- [NTSB MKC88LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA158), Aug 16, 1988: Grumman G-164B (N8405K), Humphrey, AR, substantial damage

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192317. 23.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 882 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15699338&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA228%20NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Additional questions (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15699001&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Additional%20Questions%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 6.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15699425&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Google earth map - accident site (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 182 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15698973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Google%20Earth%20Map%20-%20Accident%20Site-Rel.pdf
- Airplane and pilot documents (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 10.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15698991&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airplane%20and%20Pilot%20Documents%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- National weather service technical memorandum CR-42 dust devil meteorology (item 6, PDF, 37 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15700600&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=National%20Weather%20Service%20Technical%20Memorandum%20CR-42%20Dust%20Devil%20Meteorology-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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