# NTSB FTW87DRD11: Grumman G-164A, N9685, Bastrop, LA, August 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1987, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Bastrop, LA
- Coordinates: 32.770732, -91.90007 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7707&lon=-91.9001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRD11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRD11

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - inattentive, ground personnel (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THREE FLAGMEN WERE WORKING WITH ONE SPRAY PLANE AND THREE FIELDS. ON THIS PASS, TWO OF THE FLAGMEN MOVED TO THE PROPER POSITIONS BUT THE OTHER ONE HAD MOVED TOO FAR LATERALLY. THE PILOT STATED TO THE SHERIFF THAT HE HAD OBSERVED THE FLAGMAN STEPPING OFF THE PROPER DISTANCE AND SHIFTED HIS ATTENTION TO THE OTHER FLAGMEN. AS HE MADE THE SPRAYING PASS, THE OUTER PORTION OF THE LEFT BOOM STRUCK THE FLAGMAN. THE OPERATOR OF THE SPRAY SERVICE STATED THE FLAGMAN HAD FLAGGED FOR SPRAYING AIRPLANES PREVIOUSLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9685](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9685-1992-01-31), registration cancelled 1992-01-31, S/N 1206 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1206
- Airframe hours: 4700
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: S.E. A. Ag Service
- Registered owner: William Warren Grant
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987, 200 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,609 total, 491 in this make and model, 2,536 as pilot in command, 119 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 32 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 19870818045859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870818045859A), Aug 18, 1987: Scwzer G164A, Bastrop, LA, Minor damage, 1 fatal. Pilot struck a flagman in the head with the left outboard spray boom while on an aerial application flight.

## Other investigations on N9685 (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 FTW91DRD03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DRD03), Mar 17, 1991: Grumman G-164A (N9685), Bonita, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A POWER LOSS DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED.

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.

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