- Date
- May 5, 2008, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place
- De Witt, AR
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N6671KGrumman-Schweizer G-164C
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 2008
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- SW 11
- FAA report
- 20080505838269A
- Case key
- 68023
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper decision to attempt to close the canopy in flight, and his diverted attention resulting in the airplane impacting the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the excessively worn canopy latch.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
Shortly after initial takeoff for an aerial application flight, the airplane's canopy opened. At an altitude of approximately 300 feet above the ground the commercial pilot pulled the throttle back while attempting to close the canopy. After unsuccessfully trying to close the canopy, the pilot pushed the throttle back up but the engine did not respond fast enough to prevent the airplane from impacting the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed a bent firewall and both main landing gear were torn from the airplane. The canopy latch showed excessive wear and lacked any lubrication.
Factual narrative
Shortly after initial takeoff for an aerial application flight, the airplane's canopy opened. At an altitude of approximately 300 feet above the ground the commercial pilot pulled the throttle back while attempting to close the canopy. After unsuccessfully trying to close the canopy, the pilot pushed the throttle back up but the engine did not respond fast enough to prevent the airplane from impacting the ground. The pilot was not injured. Examination of the airplane revealed a bent firewall and both main landing gear were torn from the airplane.
A post-accident engine and airframe examination was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration investigator. No engine, fuel or airframe problems where discovered which would have contributed to a loss of airplane performance. The canopy latch did show excessive wear and lacked any lubrication. Additionally, the aft frame of the canopy that makes up the hinge portion was completely rusted through in three places. An annual inspection was completed on the airplane February 8, 2008.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6671K
- Reported as
- Grumman-Schweizer G-164C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 15c
- Airframe hours
- 11,607
- Engine
- Garrett TPE- 331-6, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- Aufderheide Flying Services, Inc, doing business as Aufderheidd Flying Services, Inc
- Registered owner
- Aufderheide Flying Services, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 1, 2008
- Departed
- 5M1 · De Witt, AR
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- 5M1 · De Witt Muni, runway 18, 3,204 × 60 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 60
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2
- Last flight review
- April 1, 2008
- Flight hours
- 10,000 total · 7,000 in this make and model · 50 in the last 90 days · 50 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Temperature
- 75 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.