# NTSB DEN84LA285: Grumman G-164A, N6887Q, Berlin, ND, September 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1984, 16:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Berlin, ND
- Coordinates: 46.369781, -98.480018 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3698&lon=-98.4800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA285

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A SOFT FIELD AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE COULD NOT DUMP HIS LOAD BECAUSE THE DUMP HANDLE CAME OFF. THE PLT SAID 100 GALLONS OF LIQUID FERTILIZER WAS LOADED ON THE ACFT. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AND AUTOMOTIVE FUEL WAS FOUND IN IT EVEN THOUGHIT WAS NOT APPROVED FOR THIS TYPE OF FUEL. THE LOAD DUMP HANDLE INTERCONNECT WIRE WAS FOUND FRAYED WHICH PREVENTED OPERATION OF THE HANDLE. AN A&P MECHANIC FOUND NO DISCREPANCIES IN THE POWERPLANT. ONE PERSON WHO TALKED TO THE PLT AFTER THE ACCIDENT SAID IT SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE 'PLT GOT BEHIND THE ACFT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6887Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1726
- Engines: P&W R985AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Monroe Chase
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 22 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JMS

## 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 19840906047369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840906047369A), Sep 6, 1984: Scwzer G164A, Berlin, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot reported engine lost partial power on takeoff. Engine checked out normal but was using auto fuel.

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.