# NTSB FTW91DPG06: Grumman G-164A, N9785, Gillett, AR, May 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1991, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Gillett, AR
- Coordinates: 34.110507, -91.370513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1105&lon=-91.3705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DPG06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPG06

## Probable cause

THE WINDSHILED BECOMING OBSCURED BY AERIAL APPLICATION SPRAY AND THE RESULTANT LIMITED VISION FROM THE COCKPIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - landing gear,main gear - sheared
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHLE APPLYING HERBCIDE THE WINDSHEILD BECAME OBSCURED BY SPRAY FROM A PREVIOUS SWATH RUN.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRLANE COLLIDED WITH A LEVEL SHEARING THE LET MAIN LANDING GEAR.  THE PILOT FLEW BACK TOT HE DEPARTUURE AIRSTRIP AND DURING LANDING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9785-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N 1263, built 1974 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1263
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Unknown
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Gordon, runway 9, 2,640 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,421 total, 1,740 in this make and model, 6,421 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910514016209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910514016209A), May 14, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Gillette, AR, Substantial damage. Landing gear struck a levee during spray run. Returned base minus left main gear. Blamed herbicide on windshield.

## Other investigations on N9785 (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 FTW00LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA097), Mar 13, 2000: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A (N9785), Gillett, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The cracked #8 cylinder resulting in failure of the cylinder. A factor was the plowed/furrowed terrain.
- [NTSB MKC84LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA213), Jul 12, 1984: Grumman G-164A (N9785), Gillette, AR, 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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