# NTSB FTW90DRD14: Grumman G-164A, N7854, Sommerset, LA, July 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1990, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Sommerset, LA
- Coordinates: 32.069179, -91.230712 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0692&lon=-91.2307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22990
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRD14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22990/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRD14

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE ABOVE CROPS AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - crop
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF FROM THE SOD STRIP THE AIRPLANE FLEW INTO A THREE FOOT TALL BEAN FIELD AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE MAIN WHEELS CONTACTED THE CROPS CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO SLIDE TO A STOP ON ITS SIDE. POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED VERY SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM THE WRECKAGE, BUT SUCCUMBED TO BURN INJURIES ONE WEEK AFTER THE ACCIDENT. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 1,600 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7854](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7854-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 802, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 802
- Airframe hours: 7728
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Farm Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Farm Air Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1990, 100 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Somerset

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,300 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19900725028519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900725028519A), Jul 25, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Sommerset, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Failed to clear three foot tall bean field at end of farm strip during takeoff. Aircraft burned.

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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