# NTSB CHI96LA310: Grumman G-164A, N904X, Galesburg, IL, August 20, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 1996, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Galesburg, IL - Coordinates: 40.950382, -90.369033 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9504&lon=-90.3690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10373 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA310 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10373/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA310 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from trees that protruded into the field that he was spraying. ## 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 of an aerial application flight was making a swath run next to an irregular field boundary. He said his airplane collided head-on with trees that protruded about 300 feet into the field. The airplane pitched up to a high angle of attack after the tree collision. Shortly thereafter, it collided with the trees a second time before striking the ground. The pilot said his reaction time was not as quick as it should have been. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 1996, at 1110 central daylight time (cdt), a Grumman G-164A Agcat, N904X, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees and the ground. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries. The flight departed Kewanee, Illinois, at 1045 cdt. During an interview the pilot said he was trying to fly parallel to an uneven tree line next to the field he was going to spray. He said the airplane collided head-on with the trees. After the collision the pilot said he pitched the airplane up at a high angle of attack. Shortly after pitching up the airplane struck the trees a second time, followed by a collision with the ground. The pilot said this was his first accident during 39 years of flying. He said his reaction time was not as quick as it should have been. The pilot said the trees his airplane collided with protruded into the corn field about 300 feet from its border. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N904X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N904X-2013-04-01), registration cancelled 2013-04-01, S/N 425, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A - 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: 425 - Airframe hours: 11066 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Harold'S Flying Service - Registered owner: J.P. Agricare, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1996, 49 hours before - Departed: CO7, KEWANEE, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,226 total, 218 in this make and model, 8,897 as pilot in command, 218 in the last 90 days, 106 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 19960820023459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960820023459A), Aug 20, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Galesburg, IL, Substantial damage. Collided with trees surveying field to be sprayed. Failed to make timely pullup to avoid same. (-23) on August 20, 1996 at 1110 CDT, N904X struck a tree during… 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.