# NTSB DEN86LA174: Schweizer G-164A, N6838Q, La Moure, ND, June 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1986, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: La Moure, ND
- Coordinates: 46.369495, -98.279586 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3695&lon=-98.2796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING A SWATH RUN, THE ACFT HE WAS PILOTING ENCOUNTERED 'BAD AIR' AND DESCENDED UNTIL THE WINGS AND WHEELS CONTACTED THE CROP OF GRAIN HE WAS SPRAYING. THE PLT STATED THE ACFT STALLED AND CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6838Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6838Q-2009-09-16), registration cancelled 2009-09-16, S/N 1721, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1721
- Airframe hours: 2128
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Michael A. Kratz
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1986, 130 hours before
- Departed: ND29, LA MOURE, ND

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,213 total, 1,152 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19860624027329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860624027329A), Jun 24, 1986: Scwzer G164A, La Moure, ND, Substantial damage. High sink rate at start of spray run. Spray rig caught in 4 foot tall wheat stalling the aircraft into the wheat.

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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