# NTSB FTW92LA078: Grumman G-164A, N9780, Gillette, AR, March 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1992, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Gillette, AR
- Coordinates: 34.110263, -91.369407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1103&lon=-91.3694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA078

## Probable cause

THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN SELECTED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - grass
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A DAYLIGHT LANDING ON A GRASS STRIP, THE LANDING GEAR SANK INTO THE SOFT, WET, GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9780](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9780-1993-11-02), registration cancelled 1993-11-02, S/N 1275 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1275
- Airframe hours: 6600
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Trites Air Service
- Registered owner: Trites Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 18, 1991, 40 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 27, 2,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 4,935 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °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 19920302004849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920302004849A), Mar 2, 1992: Scwzer G164A, Gillette, AR, Substantial damage. Main landing gear sank into soft ground on landing roll. Aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N9780 (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 FTW93LA215](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA215), Jul 13, 1993: Grumman G-164A (N9780), Mccrory, AR, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CYLINDER FAILURE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED 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.

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