# NTSB CHI07CA214: Grumman G-164B, N8449K, Sheldon, IL, July 15, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 15, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Sheldon, IL
- Coordinates: 40.799999, -87.529441
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8000&lon=-87.5294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Springfield, IL FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66515
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66515/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA214

## Probable cause

The pilot's inability to maintain a proper rate of climb during takeoff.  Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's failure to dump the chemical load and the ditch which the airplane contacted.

## 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
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control on takeoff.  The pilot reported that he was taking off with a full load of fuel and chemicals when the accident occurred.  He stated that the airplane lifted off and climbed to an altitude of about 500 feet when it began to settle to the ground.  The airplane landed in a bean field and contacted a ditch.  The pilot stated that he did not have time to dump the chemical load prior to impacting the ground.  The takeoff was being made on a 2,000 foot long, grass airstrip.

## Factual narrative

The airplane collided with terrain following a loss of control on takeoff.  The pilot reported he was taking off with a full load of fuel and chemicals when the accident occurred.  He stated the airplane lifted off and climbed to an altitude of about 500 feet when it began to settle to the ground.  The airplane landed in a bean field and contacted a ditch.  The pilot stated he did not have time to dump the chemical load prior to impacting the ground.  The takeoff was being made on a 2,000 foot long, grass airstrip.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8449K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8449K), registered now, S/N 699B, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman 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: 699B
- Engines: Garrett RP331-1 turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Zumwalt Agricultural
- Registered owner: Rosaschi Dusters, inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: PVT, Sheldon, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,011 total, 704 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command, 308 in the last 90 days, 154 in the last 30 days, 18 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: IKK

## 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 20070715016749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070715016749A), Jul 15, 2007: Scwzer G164B, Sheldon, IL, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot of an agricultural aircraft loaded for spraying, attempted to take off on a grass runway with a slight tail wind. In doing so, 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.

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