# NTSB CHI94LA106: Grumman G-164A, N9686, Sublette, KS, March 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1994, 18:30 local (Mar 15, 1994, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Sublette, KS
- Coordinates: 37.470169, -100.839744 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4702&lon=-100.8397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9484
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9484/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA106

## Probable cause

the commercial pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain.  Related factors are sun glare and rising terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN AERIAL APPLICATION OF HERBICIDE. HE REPORTED HE WAS MAKING A SPRAY RUN ON A WESTERLY HEADING WITH THE SUN IN HIS EYES AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN.  THE PILOT STATED THE TERRAIN ROSE SHARPLY AND HE DID NOT NOTICE THE INCREASE IN TERRAIN ELEVATION.

## Factual narrative

On March 14, 1994, at 1830 central standard time, a Grumman       G164A, N9686, operated by Max Birney Aerial Spraying, Inc.        impacted rising terrain during an aerial application swath run in the vicinity of Sublette, Kansas.  The pilot, the sole occupant,  reported no injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed.  The flight       operated under 14 CFR Part 137, and originated from a private     airstrip in Sublette, Kansas approximately 1815.

The pilot reported he was flying on a westerly heading during an  herbicide application spray run.  He stated the sun was in his    eyes "...setting on the horizon..." and he did not observe an     increase in terrain elevation.  The pilot reported the landing    gear struck the terrain and the airplane "...flipped...end over   end...coming to stop right side up."  The pilot's safety          recommendation was to fly higher during spray runs.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9686](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9686-2013-05-23), registration cancelled 2013-05-23, S/N 1211, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1211
- Engines: P&W R-1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Max Birney Aerial Spraying
- Registered owner: Max Birney Aerial Spraying
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,300 total, 250 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCK, 22 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 19940314015349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940314015349A), Mar 14, 1994: Scwzer G164A, Sublette, KS, Substantial damage. Collided with rising terrain during spray run. Reported did not see rising terrain due to setting sun in his eyes.

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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