# NTSB CHI02LA277: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N48417, Martin, MI, September 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2002, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Martin, MI - Coordinates: 42.531112, -85.647224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5311&lon=-85.6472&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Detroit FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55673/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA277 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight and his inability to abort the takeoff due to the obscured windshield. Contributing to the accident was the bent hopper latch and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft preflight - inadequate, ground personnel (cause) - spray/dusting equipment - bent (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - obstructed (cause) - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane contacted a corn crop following a loss of control during takeoff. The pilot reported that on takeoff at an airspeed of about 50 miles per hour the right aft corner of the hopper lid became unsecured. He reported that the fungicide in the hopper sprayed out and covered the windshield. The pilot reported that because of hazards on both sides and at the end of the runway he felt it was best to continue the takeoff at full power. He stated that he was able to see out the lower right corner of the windshield which was only partially obscured. The pilot stated he then lost control of the airplane and the lower left wing contacted the corn crop on the left edge of the airstrip. The airplane was turned into the crop where it came to rest. Inspection of the right rear latch on the double gang-bar type latch revealed that the latch was bent. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2002, at 1045 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N48417, collided with the terrain following a loss of directional control during a takeoff initial climb from a private airstrip in Martin, Michigan. The commercial pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 CFR Part 137 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the accident occurred on the fifth aerial application flight of the day. He reported that on takeoff at an airspeed of about 50 miles per hour the right aft corner of the hopper lid became unsecured. He reported that the fungicide in the hopper sprayed out and covered the windshield. The pilot reported that because of hazards on both sides and at the end of the runway he felt it was best to continue the takeoff at full power. He stated that he was able to see out the lower right corner of the windshield which was only partially obscured. The pilot stated he then lost control of the airplane and the lower left wing contacted the corn crop on the left edge of the airstrip. The airplane was turned into the crop where it came to rest. An inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office in Belleville, Michigan, reported that the right rear latch on the double gang-bar type latch was not completely closed and it looked as though the latch was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48417](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48417-2013-10-29), registration cancelled 2013-10-29, S/N 26B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26B - Airframe hours: 10269 - Engines: Walter M601E-11 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Benjamin I. Niswander - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 2002, 280 hours before - Departed: PVT, Martin, MI - Airport: Pvt Airstrip, runway 36, 2,000 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 17, 2001; seat: center; flight hours: 16,062 total, 1,783 in this make and model, 15,894 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: AZO, 17 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 20020906038779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020906038779A), Sep 6, 2002: Scwzer G164B, Martin, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) This part 137, accident occurred at 1045 EDT on September 6, 2002. On takeoff at 50 mph with a full load of fungicide mixture, the right aft hopper lid… ## Other investigations on N48417 (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 ERA11LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA011), Oct 1, 2010: Grumman G164 (N48417), Edison, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Leakage of hydraulic fluid from the internal fuselage line fitting, resulting in a subsequent loss of the right brake’s effectiveness. - [NTSB CHI88DEM10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM10), Aug 18, 1988: Grumman G-164B (N48417), Schoolcraft, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE MANEUVERING THE AIRCRAFT TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING IMPACTED A CORN CROP AND THE AIRCRAFT… 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.