# NTSB FTW01LA119: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6778K, Rosharon, TX, May 15, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2001, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Rosharon, TX - Coordinates: 29.369348, -95.449501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3693&lon=-95.4495&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52281 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW01LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52281/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA119 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Factors were the weather conditions and the muddy terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - weather condition - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor) ## Analysis The aerial application flight departed the dirt airstrip to the east, turned downwind, and flew about 500 yards, when the airplane started loosing "airspeed and altitude." The pilot applied full power and started dumping the load of dry fertilizer; however, the "airplane would not recover." The airplane impacted the wet rice field, the main landing gear sunk into the mud, and the airplane flipped to the inverted position. The pilot reported the wind was from 180 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 18 knots with moderate turbulence and dust devils in the area. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2001, at 1430 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, agricultural airplane, N6778K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a rice field while maneuvering near Rosharon, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by Garrett Flying Service, Inc., of Danbury, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. At 1315, on the day of the accident, the airplane departed the operator's airstrip at Danbury, Texas, and flew to the rice field near Rosharon, Texas. During the aerial application flights, the airplane landed and departed a dirt airstrip at the rice field. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported the wind was from 180 degrees at 15 knots gusting to 18 knots with moderate turbulence and dust devils in the area. The flight departed the dirt airstrip to the east, turned downwind and flew about 500 yards, when the airplane started loosing "airspeed and altitude." The pilot applied full power and started dumping the load of dry fertilizer; however, the "airplane would not recover." The airplane impacted the wet rice field, the main landing gear sunk into the mud, and the airplane flipped to the inverted position before coming to rest. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and top wings were damaged. The fuselage was twisted. Both main landing gear collapsed, and the right main landing gear separated from the airframe. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6778K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6778K-2013-09-26), registration cancelled 2013-09-26, S/N 467B, built 1978 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 467B - Airframe hours: 9020 - Engines: P&W 1340R-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Garrett Flying Service, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 17, 2001, 64 hours before - Departed: Rosharon, TX - Airport: private airstrip, runway 090, 2,000 × 30 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 20, 1999; seat: center; flight hours: 939 total, 612 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg ## 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 20010515010839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010515010839A), May 15, 2001: Scwzer G164B, Rosharon, TX, Substantial damage. (.19)On may 15, 2001, at 1544 central daylight time, a grumman-schweizer G-164B, agricultural airplane, N6778K, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a… ## Other investigations on N6778K (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 FTW81DPG28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DPG28), May 22, 1981: Grumman G-164B (N6778K), Lexa, AR, substantial damage 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.