# NTSB DFW06CA113: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N48717, De Witt, AR, April 28, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 28, 2006, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: De Witt, AR - Coordinates: 34.2572222222222, -91.3058333333333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2572&lon=-91.3058&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little Rock, Arkansas - NTSB case key (mKey): 63595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63595/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA113 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. A contributing factor was the gusty winds. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The 5,700-hour commercial pilot was departing on runway 18 (a 3,200-foot long by 60-foot wide asphalt runway) in a tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane in order to fertilize a rice field approximately three miles to the south of the airport. Prior to his departure from runway 18, the pilot reported that the winds were from the east-southeast at 10 to 20 knots. During the takeoff roll, as the pilot raised the tail of the airplane gust of wind blew the airplane to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot was able to regain directional control and elected to proceed with the takeoff, when another gust "pulled" the aircraft off the ground prematurely. The pilot stated that the airplane "came off of the ground normal but a little higher than he wanted." The pilot added that as he tried to maintain runway heading alignment, the aircraft wanted to "settle," and the aileron control became "real light." The pilot then pointed the airplane into the wind, hoping for a "gust of help" in trying to climb and avoid an impact with trees. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest in an upright position where a post impact fire ensued. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 1,200 hours in the same make and model, with about 75 hours in the preceding 90 days. ## Factual narrative The 5,700-hour commercial pilot was departing on runway 18 (a 3,200-foot long by 60-foot wide asphalt runway) in a tailwheel-equipped agricultural airplane in order to fertilize a rice field approximately three miles to the south of the airport. Prior to his departure from runway 18, the pilot reported the winds were from the east-southeast at 10 to 20 knots. During the takeoff roll, as the pilot raised the tail of the airplane gust of wind blew the airplane to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot was able to regain directional control and elected to proceed with the takeoff, when another gust "pulled" the aircraft off the ground prematurely. The pilot stated that the airplane "came off of the ground normal but a little higher than he wanted." The pilot added that as he tried to maintain runway heading alignment, the aircraft wanted to "settle," and the aileron control became "real light." The pilot then pointed the airplane into the wind, hoping for a "gust of help" in trying to climb and avoid an impact with trees. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and came to rest in an upright position where a post impact fire ensued. The pilot reported having accumulated a total of 1,200 hours in the same make and model, with about 75 hours in the preceding 90 days. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48717-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 120B, built 1976 (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: 120B - Airframe hours: 9293 - Engines: Allied Signal 331-1-151A turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Darren L. Voumard, doing business as Aufderheide Flying Service Inc. - Registered owner: Aufderheide Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2005 - Departed: 5M1, De Witt, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2005; seat: single; flight hours: 5,700 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,300 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 125° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °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 20060428007109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060428007109A), Apr 28, 2006: Scwzer G164B, Dewitt, AR, Destroyed. (-23) On April 28, 2006 at 1300 central daylight savings time, a Grumman ag-cat 164-B, registered to [privacy data omitted] and operated by the pilot [privacy… ## Other investigations on N48717 (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 ATL94LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA084), Apr 20, 1994: Grumman G-164B (N48717), Ozark, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN. 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.