# NTSB CHI01LA229: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N5398, Dodge Center, MN, July 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2001, 19:30 local (Jul 22, 2001, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Dodge Center, MN - Coordinates: 44.020462, -92.839904 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0205&lon=-92.8399&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 52824 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA229 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52824/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA229 ## Probable cause The pilot not maintaining directional control on the ground during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to this accident were the total failure of the propeller governor and the corn crop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run - propeller system/accessories,governor - failure,total (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot said that while taking off to the south the airplane did not lift off like normal. The pilot said the airplane moved to the left side of the runway. The pilot said, "I got the left wing in the corn. The airplane went sideways until [the] right gear collapsed. Then it started on fire." An examination of the engine revealed that the propeller governor had failed. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2001, at 1930 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N5398, spray airplane, operated by a commercial pilot was destroyed during takeoff from a private airstrip 2 miles southeast of Dodge Center, Minnesota, when it ran off the runway. A post-crash fire ensued. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. In his written statement, the pilot said that while taking off to the south the airplane did not lift off like normal. The pilot said the airplane moved to the left side of the runway. The pilot said, "I got the left wing in the corn. The airplane went sideways until [the] right gear collapsed. Then it started on fire." A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at the accident site. The airplane was consumed by the post-crash fire. The corn crop in the immediate vicinity of the airplane was also consumed by fire. Flight control continuity was established. An examination of the engine revealed that the propeller governor had failed. An examination of the remaining airplane systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5398](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5398-2002-01-11), registration cancelled 2002-01-11, S/N 1148, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1148 - Airframe hours: 7884 - Engines: P&W R985-AN-14B 450 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Fairmont Aerial Ag Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2001, 70 hours before - Departed: DODGE CENTER, MN - Airport: Private, runway 18, 2,640 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 5, 2000; seat: center; flight hours: 6,780 total, 2,100 in this make and model, 6,383 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: RST, 16 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 20010721018959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010721018959A), Jul 21, 2001: Scwzer G164A, Dodgecenter, MN, No damage. (.19) On July 21, 2001, at 1930 central daylight time, a grumman-schweizer G-164A, N5398, spray airplane, operated by a commercial pilot was destroyed during… ## Other investigations on N5398 (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 DEN87LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA192), Jul 22, 1987: Grumman G-164A (N5398), Romeo, CO, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK76DVG80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG80), May 19, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N5398), Marysville, CA, substantial damage 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.