# NTSB FTW88DRD04: Grumman G-164A, N8657H, Rayne, LA, May 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1988, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Rayne, LA
- Coordinates: 30.230257, -92.259864 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2303&lon=-92.2599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRD04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRD04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD MADE SEVEN PREVIOUS TAKEOFFS IN THAT AIRPLANE, THAT DAY, ON THE SAME AIRSTRIP. ON THIS ONE, THE OAT WAS 93 DEGREES F. THE ELEVATION WAS 10 FEET MSL AND THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 2300 FEET. THE AIRPLANE WAS 388 POUNDS OVERWEIGHT AND THE CG WAS .5 INCH BEHIND AFT LIMIT. ON TAKEOFF, THE PILOT SAW HE WAS NOT CLIMBING AND DUMPED HIS LOAD OF FERTILIZER BUT STILL HIT TREES AND THEN THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8657H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8657H-1988-12-01), registration cancelled 1988-12-01, S/N 1449 (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: 1449
- Airframe hours: 5319
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Richard Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1988, 144 hours before
- Airport: Ashton, runway 18, 1,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 18,220 total, 1,130 in this make and model, 18,100 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LA35, 12 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 19880519019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880519019779A), May 19, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Rayne, LA, Substantial damage. Over gross by 388 pounds with an aft CG was unable to climb on takeoff and hit trees. Air temperature 98 degrees.

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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