# NTSB CHI94LA166: Grumman G-164, N551Y, Hillsboro, ND, May 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1994, 20:00 local (May 20, 1994, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, ND
- Coordinates: 47.400329, -97.059333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4003&lon=-97.0593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA166

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a tree.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot reported he was performing aerial application and he pulled up late from a swath run and impacted the top of a tree.  He said the airplane was still flying but as it slowed he lost control and impacted the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 1994, about 2000 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N551Y, operated by Pro Air Service, Inc. was destroyed during an aerial application swath run near Hillsboro, North Dakota.  The solo commercial pilot sustained serious injuries.  The local, 14 CFR Part 137 flight originated about 1930.  A flight plan was not filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported he "pulled up a little late and caught the top of a cottonwood tree" which damaged the leading edge of the left wing.  He wrote "the airplane was still flying for a little bit, but as it slowed down it started to go into a spin.  I got the spin stopped and I was trying to dump the load, but ran out of room and hit the ground."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N551Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N551Y-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 116
- Airframe hours: 8130
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Pro Air Service Inc
- Registered owner: Pro Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1994, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 450 total, 100 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAR, 28 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 19940519011799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940519011799A), May 19, 1994: Scwzer G164, Hillsboro, ND, Destroyed. Struck tree tops on pullup from swath run. Stalled but recovered. Struck ground trying to dump load.

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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