# NTSB FTW92DPG11: Grumman G-164B, N3630U, Fouke, AR, August 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1992, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Fouke, AR
- Coordinates: 33.259353, -93.879951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2594&lon=-93.8800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92DPG11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18312/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DPG11

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE TREES AND THE SOFT FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A TAKEOFF FROM A SOFT GRASS STRIP WITH A FULL LOAD OF CHEMICALS THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO ATTAIN THE REQUIRED AIRSPEED TO EFFECT LIFT OFF. IN AN ATTEMPT TO RAPIDLY LOSE WEIGHT AND GAIN AIRSPEED THE PILOT DUMPED HIS CHEMICALS. THE LOSS OF THE WEIGHT OF CHEMICALS DID NOT ALLOW HIM TO GAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AND WITH THE LIMITED RUNWAY AVAILABLE HIS RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE. FOLLOWING THE TREE STRIKE WITH THE RIGHT WING THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE WENT OUT OF CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3630U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3630U), registered now, S/N 760B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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: 760B
- Airframe hours: 3802
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Helms, Dwight R., doing business as Red River Ag Service
- Registered owner: Helms, Dwight R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1992, 366 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: None, runway 18, 2,640 × 45 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 9,400 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 9,350 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TXK, 14 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 19920804029009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920804029009A), Aug 4, 1992: Scwzer G164B, Fouke, AR, Substantial damage. Unable to reach flying speed due to soft runway. Lifted off at end to miss trees but right wing struck a tree.

## Other investigations on N3630U (1)

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 MKC90LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA076), Mar 28, 1990: Grumman G-164B (N3630U), Newport, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ENCOUNTER WITH SOFT/WET (MUDDY) TERRAIN AND A SUBSEQUENT NOSE OVER OF THE AIRCRAFT.

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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