# NTSB CHI95LA244: Schweizer G-164B, N36316, Morris, MN, July 28, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1995, 08:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Morris, MN
- Coordinates: 45.579914, -95.900474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5799&lon=-95.9005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9963
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9963/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA244

## Probable cause

the pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance.

## 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
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE SPRAYING A POTATO FIELD, HE WAS LOOKING AT HIS POSITION RELATIVE TO A TREE LINE.  HE THEN SHUT OFF THE SPRAY SYSTEM AND STARTED A PULL-UP AT THE END OF THE FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT PITCHED UP INITIALLY, THEN TOPPLED FORWARD STRIKING THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT WING TIP AND THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE.  IT THEN CARTWHEELED AND ROLLED OVER, SLIDING TO A STOP, INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 28, 1995, at 0840 central daylight time, a Schweizer G164B, N36316, operated by Peterson Aerial Spraying, was destroyed when the airplane cartwheeled after a wingtip hit the vegitation.  The commercial pilot reported no injury. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight departed a private airstrip near Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, on a local flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that while spraying a potato field, he was looking at his position relative to a tree line.  He then shut off the spray system and started a pull-up at the end of the field.  The aircraft pitched up initially, then toppled forward stricking the ground with the right wingtip and the nose of the airplane.  It then cartwheeled and rolled over, sliding to a stop, inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N36316 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 766B
- Airframe hours: 4545
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-1-151 665 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Peterson Aerial Spraying
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1994, 360 hours before
- Departed: PARKERS PRAIRIE, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 10,650 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 10,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19950728021099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950728021099A), Jul 28, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Parkers Prairie, MN, Destroyed. Allowed wing tip to hit ground on spray run. Stopped inverted. (-23) while spraying a potato field, pilot allowed the wing tip to strike the ground. The…

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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