# NTSB FTW87DRD08: Grumman G-164A, N9778, Lacassine, LA, July 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1987, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lacassine, LA
- Coordinates: 30.230962, -92.920631 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2310&lon=-92.9206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRD08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRD08

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - failure,total (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT'S TAIL WHEEL BROKE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED A SMALL TREE AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WHEEL DROPPED INTO A DITCH WHICH WAS PARALLEL WITH THE RUNWAY. DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER INTO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE AND STOPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9778](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9778), registered now, S/N 1274, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1274
- Airframe hours: 2360
- Engines: P&W R1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: H & M Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1987, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 17,289 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 360 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19870707032649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870707032649A), Jul 7, 1987: Scwzer G164A, Lacassine, LA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered into a ditch on an attempted takeoff from a muddy runway.

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.