# NTSB DFW08CA195: Grumman 164A, N7249, Lake Providence, LA, July 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 22, 2008, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Lake Providence, LA - Coordinates: 32.983612, -91.203613 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9836&lon=-91.2036&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA195 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering during an aerial application. Contributing to the accident was the wind gust. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had just descended down a line of approximately 100-foot-tall trees in a bi-wing agricultural airplane and entered a swath path that was approximately 3-4 feet high above a rice crop. The normal height for the airplane above this particular crop was about 8 to 12- feet-high. As the pilot attempted to climb to a higher altitude, a wind gust pushed the airplane from the right and off of his swath path. Instead of adjusting for his low altitude first, the pilot attempted to realign the airplane back on the swath path by applying right rudder and slight back pressure on the control stick. As a result, the application of right rudder reduced lift and the airplane's right main wheel struck a levy. The airplane flipped over three times before it came to rest in a near vertical position. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine was torn from its mounts, and the empennage and tail section separated from the airframe. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The commercial rated pilot stated that he had just descended down a line of approximately 100-foot-tall trees in a bi-wing agricultural airplane and entered a swath path that was approximately 3-4 feet high about a rice crop. The normal height for the airplane above this particular crop was about 8 to 12- feet-high. As the pilot attempted to climb to a higher altitude, a wind gust pushed the airplane from the right and off of his swath path. Instead of adjusting for his low altitude first, the pilot attempted to realigned the airplane back on the swath path by applying right rudder and slight back pressure on the control stick. As a result, the application of right rudder reduced lift and the airplane's right main wheel struck a levy. The airplane flipped over three times before it came to rest in a near vertical position. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine was torn from its mounts, and the empennage and tail section separated from the airframe. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7249](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7249-2010-10-13), registration cancelled 2010-10-13, S/N 920, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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: 0163 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney 1340 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Carroll Flying Service - Registered owner: Lamar Perry - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Bayou Meadow, LA - Destination: OM8, Lake Prondue, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,100 total, 500 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20080722841579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080722841579A), Jul 22, 2008: Scwzer G164A, Lake Providenc, LA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot flew over some trees at the beginning of the pass. Pilot was heavy and was flaring when he realized he was too low. The right main landing gear… 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.