# NTSB CHI91DCQ07: Grumman G-164A, N7964, Sharon Springs, KS, July 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1991, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Sharon Springs, KS
- Coordinates: 38.890052, -101.750305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8901&lon=-101.7503&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 March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DCQ07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DCQ07

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE EXCEEDED AND DISREGARD OF PERFORMANCE DATA BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT IS HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OR MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AFTER DEPARTING A 2500 FOOT LONG DIRT LANDING STRIP WITH A LOAD OF AGRICULTURE CHEMICALS.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A PLOWED FIELD AND NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE TEMPERATURE AT THE 3500 FOOT MSL DEPARTURE AIRSTRIP WAS 85 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7964](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7964-2017-07-14), registration cancelled 2017-07-14, S/N 841, built 1971 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 841
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: James L. Bussen, doing business as Bussen Aerial Spraying
- Registered owner: James L. Bussen
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1991
- Airport: NONE, Bussen

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,008 total, 20 in this make and model, 954 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910719028939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910719028939A), Jul 19, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Sharon Springs, KS, Substantial damage. Settled to ground on climbout. Impact flipped aircraft over off end of private strip.

## Other investigations on N7964 (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 IAD73FLT21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD73FLT21), Jun 28, 1973: Grumman G-164A (N7964), Covington, TN, 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.

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