# NTSB FTW00LA167: Grumman-Schweizer G164B, N48723, Natchitoches, LA, June 1, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2000, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Natchitoches, LA - Coordinates: 31.5396, -92.900436 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5396&lon=-92.9004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51136 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51136/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA167 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had been on an aerial application flight, spraying fertilizer on local fields. He had applied 18 loads and was returning to pick up his 19th load of fertilizer. During the landing roll on the grass airstrip, 'the aircraft started turning right and ground looped before [he] corrected directional control.' The main landing gear collapsed, the fuel tank ruptured, and a fire erupted, which consumed the airplane. The pilot reported that the airstrip was oriented north-south, and there was a 10-12 mph crosswind from the east at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2000, at 1500 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G164B agricultural airplane, N48723, was destroyed when it ground looped during landing roll on a private grass airstrip near Natchitoches, Louisiana. The airplane was owned and operated by Valley Air, Inc., of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight originated approximately 1445. The pilot stated that he had been on an aerial application flight, spraying fertilizer on local fields. He had applied 18 loads and was returning to pick up his 19th load of fertilizer. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, "the aircraft started turning right and ground looped before [he] corrected directional control." The main landing gear collapsed, the fuel tank ruptured, and a fire erupted. The pilot reported the airstrip was oriented north-south, and there was a 10-12 mph crosswind from the east at the time of the accident. The cockpit, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer were consumed by the fire. The cabane struts were structurally damaged, which resulted in the top wing collapsing and coming to rest on the forward part of the fuselage. The three-bladed propeller and radial engine remained attached to the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48723](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48723-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 124B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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: 124B - Airframe hours: 7394 - Engines: P&W R-1340-59 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Valley Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 2000, 6 hours before - Airport: NONE, Private Airstrip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 13,450 total, 10,500 in this make and model, 13,450 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20000601010709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000601010709A), Jun 1, 2000: Scwzer G164B, Cluthierville, LA, No damage. (-23) Pilot landed on grass strip. After roll out, at approximately 50 mph, pilot lost control. A/c spun to the right, both main gear collapsed. Fuel tanks… 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.