# NTSB FTW04LA164: Grumman G-164A, N6567, Garwood, TX, June 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 2004, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Garwood, TX - Coordinates: 29.799722, -96.821945 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7997&lon=-96.8219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 59471 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59471/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA164 ## Probable cause The separation of the right main landing gear wheel and axle during take-off. Contributing factors were the fatigue of the bolts on the right main landing gear and the rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - landing gear,wheel - separation (cause) - landing gear,axle - separation (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - separation (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was starting the 4th load (of 12 loads) when he topped-off the hopper with 1,500 pounds of 46% UREA fertilizer prior to his departure from the 4,000 feet long by 100 feet wide dirt airstrip. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane approached lift-off, the right main landing gear axle and wheel separated from the landing gear strut. The strut "dug" into the runway and separated from the airplane. The pilot further reported that the engine and propeller "dug" into the runway and caused the airplane to nose-over. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position. Examination by the FAA inspector revealed that 2 bolts from the left main landing gear (part number AN 509-616-35 and MS 20008H-22) were fractured. The fractures showed evidence of fatigue. The aircraft was reported having accumulated a total of 11,006 hours since new; however, the time since the installation of the failed bolts could not be established. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 2004, approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A single-engine agricultural airplane, N6567, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during takeoff from an airstrip near Garwood, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The flight originated from the operator's private dirt airstrip, near Garwood, Texas. The pilot reported that he was starting the 4th load (of 12 loads) when he topped-off the hopper with 1,500 pounds of 46% UREA fertilizer prior to his departure from the 4,000 feet long by 100 feet wide dirt airstrip. During the takeoff roll, as the airplane approached lift-off, the right main landing gear axle and wheel separated from the landing gear strut. The strut "dug" into the runway and separated from the airplane. The pilot further reported that the engine and propeller "dug" into the runway and caused the airplane to nose-over. The airplane came to rest in the inverted position. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed that the upper wings, rudder, and horizontal stabilizer were structurally damaged, the fuselage was wrinkled, the propeller was bent, and the firewall was bent. Further examination by the FAA inspector revealed that 2 bolts from the left main landing gear (part number AN 509-616-35 and MS 20008H-22) were fractured. The fractures showed evidence of fatigue. The aircraft was reported having accumulated a total of 11,006 hours since new; however, the time since the installation of the failed bolts could not be established. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6567](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6567-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 706, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 706 - Airframe hours: 11006 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Aero AG Servies, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 2004, 89 hours before - Departed: Garwood, TX - Destination: Garwood, TX - Airport: runway S, 4,000 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 17, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 18,500 total, 17,500 as pilot in command, 450 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: HOU ## 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 20040617015379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040617015379A), Jun 17, 2004: Scwzer G164A, Garwood, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was loaded with 1600LBS of fertilizer and was taking off to the south on a dirt runway. Pilot was approaching 65 mph, when the right hand main… ## Other investigations on N6567 (3) 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 CEN11LA556](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA556), Aug 18, 2011: Grumman G-164A (N6567), El Campo, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: Separation of the No. 3 cylinder exhaust valve rocker arm, which resulted in a loss of engine power. - [NTSB MKC88LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA161), Aug 20, 1988: Grumman G-164A (N6567), Gillett, AR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA71FWG37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA71FWG37), Feb 17, 1971: Grumman G-164A (N6567), St John, WA, 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.