# NTSB FTW91LA090: Grumman G-164B, N67210, Lawtell, LA, June 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1991, 19:00 local (Jun 4, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Lawtell, LA
- Coordinates: 30.52094, -92.190635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5209&lon=-92.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA090

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCEEDING THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,turn capability - exceeded
  - aircraft control - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO WAS APPLYING FERTILIZER TO A RICE FIELD, STATED THAT AS HE PULLED UP AND INITIATED A TURN TO REVERSE DIRECTION ON HIS SECOND PASS, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN SETTLING. HE SAID HE THOUGHT HE ENCOUNTERED MECHANICAL TURBULENCE FROM A NEARBY TREE LINE AND THE AIRPLANE GOT BEHIND THE POWER CURVE. HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO SETTLE, STRUCK POWER LINES AND IMPACTED IN A MUDDY FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N67210 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 248B
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Star Dusters Flying Svc., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,500 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 6,500 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 325° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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