# NTSB FTW89DRD03: Schweizer G-164A, N48467, Maxie, LA, May 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 14:08 local (19:08 UTC)
- Place: Maxie, LA
- Coordinates: 30.209506, -92.369415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2095&lon=-92.3694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 10, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22724/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD03

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TREES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PRESENCE OF TREES NEAR THE FIELD WHERE FERTILIZER WAS TO BE DISPENSED.

## 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 - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING USED ON A FLT TO SPREAD FERTILIZER.  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED IN AN AREA OF DENSE TREES NEAR THE EDGE OF A FIELD.  THE 1ST IMPACT WITH TREES WAS AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 55' AGL, WHICH SHEARED OFF A 9' BRANCH FROM A TREE.  THE ACFT CONTD 43' & HIT TREES AGAIN, ABOUT 31' AGL, & SHEARED OFF TWO 12' BRANCHES.  IT THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND & CAME TO REST ABOUT 85' FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT WAS TRAVELING AT A MODERATE SPEED WHEN IT 1ST HIT THE TREES.  ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ENG WAS OPERATING NORMALLY BEFORE IMPACT. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND, EXCEPT THAT CONTINUITY OF THE ENG SUPERCHARGER DRIVE WAS DISRUPTED; THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL WHETHER THE SUPERCHARGER CONTINUITY HAD FAILED BEFORE OR AFTER IMPACT.  THE ACFT'S HOPPER WAS FULLY LOADED WITH FERTILIZER WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48467](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48467-1997-05-13), registration cancelled 1997-05-13, S/N 1648 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER 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: 1648
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Aerohead Cropdusters
- Registered owner: Aerohead Cropdusters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1989, 65 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MAXIE, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 14,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °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 19890523012669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890523012669A), May 23, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Maxie, LA, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. En route to spray field collided with trees.

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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