# NTSB CHI95LA217: Schweizer G-164B, N6623Q, Kenmare, ND, July 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1995, 07:35 local (12:35 UTC)
- Place: Kenmare, ND
- Coordinates: 48.820808, -100.439514 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8208&lon=-100.4395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9939
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9939/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA217

## Probable cause

the pilot's not obtaining/maintaining proper climb rate.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - proper climb rate - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON INITIAL CLIMB WITH A HOPPER FULL OF A HERBICIDE FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE TERRAIN WHERE IMPACT AND A POST ACCIDENT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT DOES NOT RECALL EVENTS AFTER THE AIRPLANE STARTED SETTLING.  THERE WERE NO EYEWITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT.  A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY PREEXISTING MECHANICAL ANOMALIES.

## Factual narrative

On July 11, 1995, at 0735 central daylight time, a Schweizer G- 164B, N6623Q, was destroyed and the commercial pilot sustained serious injuries when it impacted the terrain shortly after takeoff from Kenmare Municipal Airport, Kenmare, North Dakota.  The local 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight operated without a flight plan in visual meteorological conditions.

The pilot reported that he did not recall anything except the airplane settling after takeoff.  He did not report any mechanical difficulties.

No eyewitnesses to the accident were located.

A post accident investigation failed to reveal any pre-existing mechanical anomalies.

The airplane hopper was loaded with the herbicide (2-4-D) at the time of the accident.

A post-impact fire consumed most of the airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6623Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6623Q-1997-03-13), registration cancelled 1997-03-13, S/N 149B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 149B
- Airframe hours: 2600
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Brekhus, Kenneth J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1995, 260 hours before
- Departed: ND26

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 825 total, 511 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOT, 38 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 19950711048069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950711048069A), Jul 11, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Kenmare, ND, No damage. (-23) No narrative.

## Other investigations on N6623Q (2)

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 MIA78FKG52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKG52), Jun 19, 1978: Grumman G-164B (N6623Q), Sylvester, GA, destroyed
- [NTSB MIA78DKG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DKG42), May 10, 1978: Grumman G-164B (N6623Q), Sylvester, GA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.