# NTSB CHI93LA254: Grumman G164B, N48518, Eldred, MN, July 13, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1993, 19:30 local (Jul 13, 1993, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Eldred, MN
- Coordinates: 47.600021, -96.810905 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6000&lon=-96.8109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9238
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9238/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA254

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL ON A GRASS STRIP.  THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT AND INTO A WHEAT FIELD.  NO PREACCIDENT MECHANICAL ABNORMALITIES WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On July 12, 1993, about 1930 central daylight time, a Grumman G164B airplane, N48518, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from a private airstrip near Eldred, Minnesota. The solo commercial pilot was not injured.  The local, aerial application flight operated without flight plan in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 137.

The pilot reported he was unable to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll on a grass strip.  The airplane went off the runway to the right and into a wheat field.

No preaccident mechanical abnormalities were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48518](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48518), registered now, S/N 61B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164B
- 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: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61B
- Airframe hours: 4235
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gasper Air Spray, Inc.
- Registered owner: Michael Gasper
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1993, 236 hours before
- Airport: MY59, Gasper Airport, runway 36, 2,640 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,600 total, 2,300 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Observed at: GFK

## 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 19930712023519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930712023519A), Jul 12, 1993: Scwzer G164B, Euclid, MN, Substantial damage. Reported unable maintain directional control on takeoff roll. Quartering tailwind contributed. Possible over gross.

## Other investigations on N48518 (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 CHI96LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA186), May 25, 1996: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N48518), Crookston, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: catastrophic engine failure.

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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