# NTSB CHI94DTG01: Grumman G-164-A, N5277, La Moure, ND, May 26, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1994, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: La Moure, ND
- Coordinates: 46.370521, -98.280036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3705&lon=-98.2800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9354
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94DTG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9354/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94DTG01

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A WHEEL LANDING, AND HELD THE TAILWHEEL OFF OF THE RUNWAY AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.  WHEN THE TAILWHEEL CONTACTED THE RUNWAY THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND GROUND-LOOPED.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO CONTROL OR TAILWHEEL DISCREPANCIES.

## Factual narrative

On May 26, 1994, at 1530 central daylight time, a Grumman Agcat G-164-A, operated by Robert's Aerial Service, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during landing roll at La Moure Rott Municipal Airport, La Moure, North Dakota.  The commercial pilot was not injured. No flight plan was filed for the aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported he had made a wheel landing, as the tailwheel touched down it started spinning and shimmying to the point where he lost directional control.

On site inspection of the tailwheel assembly did not reveal any defects.  It was not loose or worn and was properly attached. The left landing gear had been severed from the aircraft, damage had been sustained to both sets of wings, the propeller had been bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5277](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5277-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 566, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164-A
- 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: 566
- Airframe hours: 4803
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Robert'S Aerial Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Stegeman, Richard A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1994, 8 hours before
- Airport: ND29, La Moure Rott Muni, runway 34, 3,750 × 43 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; flight hours: 1,100 total, 105 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JMS, 39 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 19940526012619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940526012619A), May 26, 1994: Scwzer G164A, La Moure, ND, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing. Pilots medical not valid for commercial operations.

## Other investigations on N5277 (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 ERA15LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA314), Aug 13, 2015: Grumman G164 (N5277), Trenton, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land the airplane with a tailwind and his subsequent application of excessive braking, which resulted in a nose-over.

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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