# NTSB FTW89DRG04: Schweizer G-164B, N7501Q, Austwell, TX, August 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1989, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Austwell, TX
- Coordinates: 28.39081, -96.839134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3908&lon=-96.8391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22740
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22740/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRG04

## Probable cause

PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE LANDING AREA (TERRAIN). HIGH VEGETATION AND ROUGH TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Nose down, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT FERRIED THE ACFT TO A LOCATION FOR 'COTTON WORK' & LANDED ON A ROAD THAT HE HAD USED BEFORE. THE CUSTOMER WANTED HIM TO USE ANOTHER ROAD THAT THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH, SO HE FLEW THE ACFT TO THAT LOCATION. DRG THE LANDING, THE SPRAY BOOM UNDER THE LEFT WING 'CAUGHT' TALL GRASS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE ACFT THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD & WENT INTO A FIELD WHERE IT CAME TO REST ON ITS NOSE. THERE WAS NO CHEMICAL LOAD ABOARD THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7501Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7501Q), registered now, S/N 813B, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 813-B
- Airframe hours: 107
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Riceland Flying Service
- Registered owner: Riceland Flying Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 1, 1988, 107 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 34,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 34,500 as pilot in command, 700 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots, gusting 5
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19890802042349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890802042349A), Aug 2, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Austwell, TX, Substantial damage. Landed on a road to talk to a farmer. Spray boom caught in tall weeds veered off road and nosed up.

## Other investigations on N7501Q (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 WPR26LA312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA312), Aug 20, 2026: Schweizer G-164B (N7501Q), Olene, OR, destroyed, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB SEA96LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA200), Aug 22, 1996: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B (N7501Q), Waitsburg, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain control of the airplane after encountering a whirlwind during the landing.

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.