# NTSB DEN87LA192: Grumman G-164A, N5398, Romeo, CO, July 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1987, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Romeo, CO
- Coordinates: 37.169845, -105.989799 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1698&lon=-105.9898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA192

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT DURING THE TURN AROUND FOLLOWING A SWATH RUN. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, BOUNCED, HIT A SECOND TIME AND NOSED OVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH 280 GALS OF AMINE AND 70 GALS OF AV GAS AT THE TIME OF THE ACDT AND THE DEN ALT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 9,600 FT. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE NEAR THE GROSS TAKE-OFF WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5398](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5398-2002-01-11), registration cancelled 2002-01-11, S/N 1148, built 1973 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1148
- Airframe hours: 5141
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Loren Buss, doing business as San Luis Valley Crop Care Corp
- Registered owner: San Luis Valley Crop Care Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1987
- Departed: O8V, MONTE VISTA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,718 total, 85 in this make and model, 101 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALS, 16 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 19870722042609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870722042609A), Jul 22, 1987: Scwzer G164A, Romeo, CO, Substantial damage. The aircraft settled into the ground during aerial application maneuevers. High gross weight and density altitude.

## Other investigations on N5398 (2)

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 CHI01LA229](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA229), Jul 22, 2001: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A (N5398), Dodge Center, MN, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot not maintaining directional control on the ground during the takeoff roll. Factors relating to this accident were the total failure of the propeller governor and the corn crop.
- [NTSB OAK76DVG80](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG80), May 19, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N5398), Marysville, CA, substantial damage

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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