# NTSB DEN08CA089: Grumman-Schweizer G-164C, N6671K, De Witt, AR, May 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2008, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: De Witt, AR - Coordinates: 34.262222, -91.307502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2622&lon=-91.3075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: SW 11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 68023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68023/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA089 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=3952803), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3952803), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md?model=3952803), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952803), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=3952803), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952803), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6671K), registered now, S/N 15C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164C - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164C](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164c) (registry code 3952803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15c - Airframe hours: 11607 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080505838269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080505838269A), May 5, 2008: Scwzer G164C, De Witt, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) May 05, 2008, approx 13:00 CDT, N6671K a G-164-C operated by aufderheide flying service, inc crashed 2 miles south of (5M1) dewitt municipal airport,… 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.