# NTSB DFW05CA212: Grumman G164B, N6903K, Alexandria, LA, August 16, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 16, 2005, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Alexandria, LA - Coordinates: 31.327222, -92.548332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3272&lon=-92.5483&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 January 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana - NTSB case key (mKey): 62252 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62252/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA212 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. A contributing factor was the high density altitude. ## 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 - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that prior to departure from Runway 33, he loaded 250 gallons of insecticide into the airplane's hopper. The airplane traveled approximately 1,875 feet of the 2,500-foot long grass strip before the pilot rotated for take off. Following rotation, the airplane "seemed to have difficulty gaining airspeed." Subsequently the airplane stalled. When the airplane stalled it turned 90 degrees to the right and impacted terrain. The Density Altitude was calculated to be 1,970 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 2005, approximately 1230 central daylight time, a tail-wheel equipped Grumman G-164B single-engine agricultural airplane, N6903K, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during take off initial climb from a private airstrip near Alexandria, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Planter's Dusting Company of Alexandria, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The 2,900-hour pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that prior to departure from Runway 33, 250 gallons of insecticide were loaded into the airplane's hopper. According to the pilot the airplane traveled approximately 1,875 feet of the 2,500-foot long grass airstrip before the pilot rotated for take off. Following rotation, the airplane "seemed to have difficulty gaining airspeed." Subsequently the airplane stalled. According to the pilot, when the airplane stalled it turned 90 degrees to the right and impacted terrain. The pilot estimates that the wind was from the southeast at approximately 5 to 6 knots at the time of accident. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that the 250 gallons of insecticide was the maximum load the airplane was able to carry, and estimated that the payload was approximately 2,000 pounds. The pilot stated he did not compute weight and balance prior to the flight. However, the pilot reported that he did refer to a weight and balance chart kept in the operator's manual to confirm that he was within the weight limits of the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the accident site, reported that the wing, horizontal stabilizer and fuselage received structural damage. Weather reported at 1253 CDT from Alexandria International Airport (KAEX) near Alexandria, Louisiana, located 2.5 miles north east of the private field, reported winds from 200 degrees at 3 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point of 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.01 inches of Mercury. The IIC calculated the density altitude at 1,970 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6903K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6903K-2007-03-01), registration cancelled 2007-03-01, S/N 518B, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164B - 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: 518B - Airframe hours: 8440 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: John H. Marien D.B.A. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2005, 69 hours before - Departed: Alexandria, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 2,925 total, 1,230 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KAEX, 3 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 20050816018319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050816018319A), Aug 16, 2005: Scwzer G164B, Alexandria, LA, Destroyed. (-23) As per pilot's statement - "at approx. 11:45 am local time, pilot was directed by [privacy data omitted], owner, to spray a 100 acre field approx. 3… 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.