# NTSB CHI04CA163: Grumman G-164A, N5339, Hutchinson, MN, June 23, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2004, 09:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Hutchinson, MN - Coordinates: 44.86, -94.382499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8600&lon=-94.3825&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 September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59579 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA163 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59579/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA163 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the low altitude turn after takeoff. A factor to the accident was the low altitude and the swampy terrain condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - swampy (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted swampy terrain while maneuvering during initial climb. The pilot reported that after takeoff, while on initial climb out of ground effect, he decided to turn from a northwest heading to the east. The pilot stated he saw obstacles ahead of the airplane while on an easterly heading, so he decided to continue the turn to the south to avoid them. The pilot reported that during the turn the airplane descended into the swamp. The pilot did not report experiencing any malfunctions or failures with the airframe or its engine. The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented by "more airspeed over wings." ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2004, at 0940 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N5339, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with terrain while on initial climb from Hutchinson Municipal Airport (HCD), Hutchinson, Minnesota. 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 was not injured. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that after takeoff, while on initial climb out of ground effect, he decided to turn from a northwest heading to the east. The pilot stated he saw obstacles ahead of the airplane while on an easterly heading, so he decided to continue the turn to the south to avoid them. The pilot reported that during the turn the airplane descended into a swamp. The pilot did not report experiencing any malfunctions or failures with the airframe or its engine. The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented by "more airspeed over wings." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5339](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5339-2006-04-05), registration cancelled 2006-04-05, S/N 611, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 611 - Airframe hours: 7500 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 137 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2004, 80 hours before - Departed: HCD, Hutchinson, MN - Destination: HCD, Hutchinson, MN - Airport: HCD, Hutchinson Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review June 1, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 1,600 total, 80 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: HCD, 1 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 20040623016799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040623016799A), Jun 23, 2004: Scwzer G164A, Hutchinson, MN, Substantial damage. (-23) While departing runway 33 at Hutchinson airport, [privacy data omitted] made a 180 degree turn and headed south after takeoff in preparation for an east… 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.