# NTSB FTW89DRD04: Schweizer G-164A, N8699H, Oak Grove, LA, May 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Oak Grove, LA
- Coordinates: 32.860034, -91.390068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8600&lon=-91.3901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRD04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO PERFORM ADEQUATE PRELIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BEFORE ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF BY FAILING TO ASSURE THE RUNWAY CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LANDED ON THE AIRSTRIP 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND HAD FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL ABOUT THE RUNWAY CONDITION. AFTER LOADING 1,300 POUNDS OF CHEMICALS, HE STARTED A TAKEOFF FROM THE WEST END. APPROXIMATELY 400FEET LATER, THE MAIN GEAR WHEELS BOGGED IN THE MUD, THE NOSE VEERED SLIGHTLY LEFT, THE AIRPLANE TIPPED UP ON ITS NOSE AND FLIPPED FORWARD TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8699H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8699H-2001-03-22), registration cancelled 2001-03-22, S/N 1476 (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: 1476
- Airframe hours: 4834
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Bobby N. Brasher, Jr., doing business as Bob'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Bobby N. Brasher Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private Strip, runway 9, 3,000 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## 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: 3,375 total, 1,353 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 30 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 19890523012789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890523012789A), May 23, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Oak Grove, LA, Substantial damage. Wheels ran into soft mud during takeoff roll from the ag strip. Aircraft nosed over. Had full load of chemicals.

## Other investigations on N8699H (2)

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 FTW79FRD40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79FRD40), Jun 8, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N8699H), Elton, LA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW77FRD05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRD05), Dec 28, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N8699H), Welsh, LA, 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.

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