# NTSB DEN89LA160: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6754Q, Holden, UT, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1989, 06:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Holden, UT
- Coordinates: 39.139904, -112.340316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1399&lon=-112.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE EFFECT OF HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE ON A HEAVILY LOADED AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - initiated, pilot in command
  - aircraft weight and balance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS APPROACHING THE POTATO FIELD TO BE SPRAYED AND WAS OVER A GRAIN FIELD WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. HE SAID HE DECIDED TO DUMP THE LOAD OF FERTILIZER BUT BY THAT TIME THE WHEELS WERE IN THE GRAIN AND HE REDUCED POWER AND LANDED. ABOUT 100 FEET AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR BROKE OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED ONTO THE WING WHICH WAS DAMAGED. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME WAS 7500 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6754Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6754Q), registered now, S/N 265B, built 1977 (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: 265B
- Airframe hours: 3070
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Spanish Fork Flying Service
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1989, 70 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890708021079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890708021079A), Jul 8, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Holden, UT, Substantial damage. Settled into a field of grain after takeoff and broke left gear off. Had dumped load. 7500 feet density altitude.

## Other investigations on N6754Q (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 CEN13LA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA322), Jun 6, 2013: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B (N6754Q), Covington, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s failure to climb after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have…
- [NTSB SEA94LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA092), Mar 30, 1994: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N6754Q), Levan, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL BEARING BROKE RESULTING IN THE WHEEL JAMMING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSING OVER.

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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