# NTSB CHI03LA142: Grumman G-164A, N29SK, Seneca, KS, May 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2003, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Seneca, KS - Coordinates: 39.847221, -96.112777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8472&lon=-96.1128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA142 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57114/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA142 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the collapse of the left main landing gear strut and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut - collapsed (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane sustained substantial damage when the left main landing gear collapsed and it impacted a ditch during landing. The pilot reported the airplane turned abruptly to the right after touchdown. The pilot stated he applied left rudder to gain control of the airplane and the airplane slid sideways down the runway. The left main landing gear strut collapsed, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane slid into a ditch. An on-scene inspection of the airplane showed no anomalies in the main landing gear brakes or brake assemblies. The right main landing gear strut was intact. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2003, at 1200 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N29SK, operated by Nemaha Valley Aerial Inc., sustained substantial damage during a loss of directional control while landing at a private airstrip near Seneca, Kansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight departed at an unconfirmed time. The pilot reported he applied brakes after touching down and the airplane made an "unwarranted and abrupt 90-degree turn to the right." The pilot stated he applied left rudder to gain control of the airplane and the airplane slid sideways down the runway. The left main landing gear strut collapsed and the wing impacted the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted a ditch and came to a stop. A Federal Aviation Administration airworthiness inspector conducted an on-scene examination of the airplane. The examination showed no anomalies in the main landing gear brakes or brake assemblies. The right main landing gear strut was intact. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29SK-2017-08-23), registration cancelled 2017-08-23, S/N 1354, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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: 1354 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Nemaha Valley Aerial - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PVT, Seneca, KS - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 36, 2,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review January 5, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1,900 in this make and model, 2,635 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KFNB, 27 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 20030529011649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030529011649A), May 29, 2003: Scwzer G164A, Seneca, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that he lost control of the aircraft after applying brakes during landing. He stated that after applying the brakes, the aircraft turned… ## Other investigations on N29SK (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 SEA90LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA103), Jun 21, 1990: Grumman G-164A (N29SK), Tekoa, WA, destroyed. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRPLANE AND TALL GRASS ADJACENT TO THE GRAVEL STRIP. - [NTSB SEA76DYG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYG42), Apr 9, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N29SK), Nezperce, ID, 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.