# NTSB ERA11CA260: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, N8896H, Belhaven, NC, April 23, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 23, 2011, 07:59 local (11:59 UTC) - Place: Belhaven, NC - Coordinates: 35.471389, -76.64083 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4714&lon=-76.6408&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 78947 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78947/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78947 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA260 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance above crops while performing an aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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 completed three or four passes of the aerial application flight before the accident. The airplane was heavily loaded as he approached the field, and he felt the plane mush a little bit. The airplane's wheels and spray rig struck the crops and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. During the accident sequence, the engine separated from the airplane and the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. According to the pilot, the performance and handling of the airplane were great and there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he had completed three or four passes of the aerial application flight before the accident. He said, he was coming into the field, was heavily loaded, and he felt the plane mush a little bit. He got his wheels and spray rig into the wheat and it kind of pulled him down. During the accident sequence, the engine separated from the airplane and the wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. According to the pilot, the performance and handling of the airplane were great and there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8896H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8896H-2011-10-20), registration cancelled 2011-10-20, S/N 1554, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1554 - Airframe hours: 7225 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Lee Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Lee Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2011, 36 hours before - Departed: Pantego, NC - Destination: Bellhaven, NC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; flight hours: 2,433 total, 540 in this make and model, 2,424 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KOCW, 20 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 20110423007479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110423007479A), Apr 23, 2011: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Belhaven, NC, Destroyed. The aircraft was found lying on its left side in an 800 acre wheat field facing the direction it had been flying. Wheel marks began in the tops of the wheat… ## Other investigations on N8896H (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 ATL94LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA152), Aug 10, 1994: Grumman G-164A (N8896H), Vanceboro, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF WHEEL BRAKES. ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 19, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78947. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 482 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351417&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Photo of Airplane Damage (1 of 3) (item 4, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(1%20of%203)-Master.PDF - Photo of Airplane Damage (2 of 3) (item 5, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351411&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(2%20of%203)-Master.PDF - Photo of Airplane Damage (3 of 3) (item 6, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20(3%20of%203)-Master.PDF 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.