# NTSB CHI98LA192: Grumman G164, N710Y, Somonauk, IL, June 6, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1998, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Somonauk, IL
- Location: 41.6347° N, 88.6875° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somonauk, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6347&lon=-88.6875&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA192

## Probable cause

the pilot's misjudgment of distance.  Factors were wind gusts and crops.

## 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
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

During practice aerial application maneuvers the airplane impacted the terrain.  The pilot said that he was making practice spray runs over a wheat field when the airplane encountered a gust of wind and one of the main landing gear got into the wheat.  He was unable to recover before the airplane impacted the terrain.

## Factual narrative

On  June 6, 1998, at 1400 central daylight time, a Grumman G164, N710Y, while maneuvering at low altitude, encountered  crops and impacted the terrain near Somonauk, Illinois.  The pilot was not injured, however, the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The aircraft was being operated as an instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91.  The pilot was practicing aerial applications when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at Leland, Illinois, at 1300

In his written statement, the pilot said that he was making practice spray runs over a wheat field when the airplane, "caught a gust" of wind, got a wheel into the wheat, and he was unable to recover before the airplane impacted the terrain.

A subsequent examination of the airplane failed to reveal any pre-accident anomalies which might have contributed to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N710Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N710Y-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 317, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 318
- Airframe hours: 10903
- Engines: Jacobs R755H2M 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1998, 52 hours before
- Departed: E16, LELAND, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,358 total, 9 in this make and model, 1,220 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19980606012539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980606012539A), Jun 6, 1998: Scwzer G164, Somonauk, IL, Substantial damage. (.19) On June 6, 1998, at 1400 central daylight time, a Grumman G164, N710Y, while maneuvering at low altitude, encountered crops and impacted the terrain near…

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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