# NTSB CHI08CA201: Grumman G-164D, N996QC, Esmond, ND, July 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2008, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Esmond, ND - Coordinates: 48.036109, -99.757225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0361&lon=-99.7572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68872 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA201 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68872/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA201 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in advancing the throttle during the takeoff which resulted in inadequate airspeed and the subsequent stall/mush. Factors associated with the accident were the leaking hopper, the pilot continuing to operate the airplane with the known deficiency, and the pilot's delay in dumping the chemical load. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Misc hardware](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071400/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman G164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3950409), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he gradually added power during takeoff to minimize the prop wash which tended to suck the hopper door open allowing the chemical load to spray out of the hopper and onto the windshield. The pilot reported the airplane became airborne in ground effect with one-third of the runway distance remaining. The airplane settled back onto the airstrip and became airborne once again with 300 to 500 feet of runway remaining. The pilot began to dump the chemical load when he reached the end of the airstrip; however, the airplane began to settle toward the ground again. The left spray boom contacted a wheat crop and the airplane cartwheeled into the field. The pilot purchased the airplane approximately 3 weeks prior to the accident. He stated the hopper door seal was leaking so he had the seal replaced and the door clamps adjusted. He stated he realized the door needed extra clamps on its forward and aft ends to keep it from opening. He stated he had one clamp which they put on the aft end of the door because it would not fit on the forward end. The pilot had an additional clamp on order for the forward end. The pilot stated he did not dump the load earlier because he did not want to kill the grass on the airstrip. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2008, at 1230 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164D, N996QC, operated by Erickson Aerial Spraying LLC, collided with the terrain following a loss of control while taking off from a 4,000 foot long, grass private airstrip in Esmond, North Dakota. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane received substantial damage to all four wings and the fuselage. The aerial application flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he gradually added power during takeoff to minimize the prop wash which tended to suck the hopper door open allowing the chemical load to spray out of the hopper and onto the windshield. The pilot reported the airplane became airborne in ground effect with one-third of the runway distance remaining. He stated that due to the wind and nearby trees, the air was "mushy" and the airplane settled onto the airstrip. The pilot stated the airplane became airborne once again with 300 to 500 feet of runway remaining. The pilot began to dump the chemical load when he reached the end of the airstrip; however, the airplane began to settle toward the ground again. The left spray boom contacted a wheat crop and the airplane cartwheeled into the field. The pilot purchased the airplane approximately 3 weeks prior to the accident. He stated the hopper door seal was leaking so he had the seal replaced and the door clamps adjusted which helped a little. He stated he realized the door needed extra clamps on the forward and aft ends to keep it from opening. He stated he had one clamp which they put on the aft end of the door because it would not fit on the forward end. The pilot had an additional clamp on order for the forward end. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N996QC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N996QC), registered now, S/N 19C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164D - Registry model: [Grumman G164C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g164c) (registry code 3950409) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19C - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Erickson Aerial Spraying LLC - Registered owner: American Agviation, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PVT, Esmond, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 4,780 total, 165 in this make and model, 1,780 as pilot in command, 195 in the last 90 days, 180 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: DVL ## 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 20080721843399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080721843399A), Jul 21, 2008: Scwzer G164D, Esmond, SD, Substantial damage. (-23) On 7/21/08 Grumman G-164 aircraft, N966QC, operated and flown by ron a. erickson received substantial damage while attempting to takeoff from a grass… ## Other investigations on N996QC (1) 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 CEN12FA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12FA312), May 23, 2012: Grumman G-164C (N996QC), Sedgwick, AR, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The inability of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the Air Tractor pilot by a cellular… 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.