# NTSB CEN23LA375: Schweizer G-164B, N943QC, Rice, MN, August 21, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 21, 2023, 14:56 local (19:56 UTC) - Place: Rice, MN - Coordinates: 45.784944, -94.2 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7849&lon=-94.2000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 192918 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA375 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192918/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192918 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA375 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a left crosswind. ## 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: [Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed a straight in landing to a private airstrip. He anticipated a crosswind from the east, so he made the approach with additional airspeed to have more controllability in the crosswind. He stated that he landed about two thirds of the way down the 2,574 ft runway, reduced power, and reduced the propeller pitch to low. The tailwheel settled to the ground at a location on the runway where there was a break in the adjacent tree line. The pilot reported that the crosswind intensified at this point, and the airplane yawed to the left. The left main landing gear exited the paved portion of the runway. The pilot attempted to correct with rudder and brakes; however, the airplane continued off the runway and into a plowed field. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted in the field. The vertical stabilizer was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, wind at an airport 12 nm northwest of the accident site was 090°at 8 knots. The pilot was landing to the south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N943QC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N943QC), registered now, S/N 711B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 711B - Year built: 1983 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R1340 turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Fort Ripley, MN - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: NA, Oleen AG Air, runway 18, 2,574 × 20 ft, gravel - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,687 total, 7,500 in this make and model, 8,617 as pilot in command, 155 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KLXL, 12 nm away - METAR: KLXL 211955Z AUTO 11010KT 073V133 10SM OVC045 25/18 A3017 ## 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 20230821009969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230821009969A), Aug 21, 2023: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, Rice, MN, Substantial damage. After completing 13 application loads the pilot rinsed the tank and returned to home airport. The runway is 2500 feet long by 20 feet wide, 1500 feet of the… ## Other investigations on N943QC (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 FTW98LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA252), Jun 1, 1998: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N943QC), Coy, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the left main tire, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 10, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192918. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16491060&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20BT%20MN%20943QC_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 880 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16469720&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photographs-N943QC-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.