# NTSB DEN08LA106: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6601Q, O'Kean, AR, June 18, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 18, 2008, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: O'Kean, AR - Coordinates: 36.085556, -90.735832 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0856&lon=-90.7358&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 68268 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68268/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68268 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA106 ## Probable cause An inadvertent accelerated stall. Contributing factors in this accident were the low airspeed, steep angle of bank, and heavy weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane was loaded with a full load of fertilizer and fuel. He started a turn after making his last aerial application pass. He stated that as he rolled out of the turn, "the [control] stick was pulled straight to the dash and [he] could not pull it back." The airplane "tipped" on its nose and "headed straight for the ground. Before [he] hit the ground, [the pilot] could not pull the [control] stick away from the dash." Witnesses said the airplane was in a steep right turn when it "nosed straight in." ## Factual narrative On June 18, 2008, approximately 1330 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6601Q. registered to and operated by Kin-Co Ag Aviation, Inc., and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted terrain during an uncontrolled descent near O'Kean, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The local flight originated from a private airstrip in Beech Grove, Arkansas, approximately 1328. The pilot said he was carrying a full load of fertilizer and fuel. He started a turn after making his last aerial application pass. As he rolled out of the turn, "the [control] stick was pulled straight to the dash and I could not pull it back." The airplane "tipped" on its nose and "headed straight for the ground. Before I hit the ground, I could not pull the [control] stick away from the dash. The next thing I remember [was] walking away from the burning aircraft." Witnesses said the airplane was in a steep right turn after making an aerial application pass when it "nosed straight in." FAA inspectors who went to the accident site originally thought they had found evidence of a propeller blade failure. A portion of the propeller shank was found some distance from where the airplane struck the ground. Hartzell Propellers was asked to examine the propeller assembly. Hartzell reported, "Impact damage to the butt end of the fractured blades is a clear indication that both blades were intact at the time of impact. There were no discrepancies noted that would preclude normal operation. All damage was consistent with impact damage." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6601Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6601Q-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N 128B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 128B - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-1 turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Kin-Co Ag Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: NONE, Beech Grove, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 694 total, 206 in this make and model, 619 as pilot in command, 161 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg ## Other investigations on N6601Q (1) 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. - [NTSB MIA97LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA146), Apr 21, 1997: Grumman G-164B (N6601Q), Ackerman, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: installation of an incorrect fuel filter in the fuel tanker, which allowed water-contaminated fuel being dispensed into the aircraft, subsequent partial loss of engine power on initial takeoff climb,… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 1, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68268. 3.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 870 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Hartzell Propeller Report (item 2, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304058&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Hartzell%20Propeller%20Report-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Approaching the airplane wreckage. (item 3, .PDF, 951 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304059&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Approaching%20the%20airplane%20wreckage.-Master.PDF - Photo 2. The airplane wreckage. (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40304060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202.%20The%20airplane%20wreckage.-Master.PDF 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.