# NTSB DEN87LA087: Grumman G-164A, N72PB, La Salle, CO, April 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1987, 10:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: La Salle, CO
- Coordinates: 40.340923, -104.699645 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3409&lon=-104.6996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17193
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17193/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA087

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, THE PLT MISJUDGED THE DISTANCE TO THE END OF THE FIELD AND INITIATED THE PULL-UP TOO LATE TO AVOID IMPACT WITH A TREE. AFTER STRIKING THE TREE, THE ACFT DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72PB-1998-01-28), registration cancelled 1998-01-28, S/N 1023 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1023
- Airframe hours: 2969
- Engines: P&W 1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Low Level Dusting Co.
- Registered owner: Low Level Dusting Company Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1987, 12 hours before
- Departed: GXY, GREELEY, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,995 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 1,896 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 38 nm away

## 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 19870406008719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870406008719A), Apr 6, 1987: Scwzer G164A, La Salle, CO, Destroyed. The aircraft struck a tree and impacted in a field during aerial application maneuvers.

## Other investigations on N72PB (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 LAX73DUJ90](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73DUJ90), Jun 15, 1973: Grumman G-164A (N72PB), Chandlr Hts, AZ, destroyed

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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