# NTSB FTW93LA175: Grumman G-164B, N48724, St. Martinville, LA, June 2, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 1993, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: St. Martinville, LA - Coordinates: 30.119514, -91.82975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1195&lon=-91.8298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18764 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18764/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA175 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S AND TRACTOR DRIVER'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vehicle - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, driver of vehicle (cause) ## Analysis A FARM TRACTOR WORKING A CANE FIELD ADJACENT TO A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP DROVE INTO THE AIRSTRIP WHILE THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE WAS ON ITS LANDING ROLL. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MISS THE TRACTOR BY VEERING TO THE LEFT OF THE AIRSTRIP; HOWEVER, THE RIGHT WING IMPACTED THE TRACTOR ## Factual narrative On June 2, 1993, at approximately 1800 central daylight time, a Grumman G 164B airplane was substantially damaged upon impact with a farm tractor while landing at a private airstrip near St. Martinville, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, nor the tractor driver, were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. According to the operator, the airplane was on its landing roll when a farm tractor that was working in an adjacent cane field pulled into the landing strip from right to left. The pilot attempted to avoid striking the vehicle by veering to the left but the right wing struck the tractor resulting in structural damage to the right wing. The wreckage was verbally released to the owner's representative at the accident site by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48724](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48724-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N 126B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 1268 - Airframe hours: 3168 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Ed & Alex Flying Service Inc. - Registered owner: Ed & Alex Flying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1993 - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Coteau Holmes Airstrip, runway 27, 5,000 × 35 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 47,462 total, 47,270 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 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 19930602016809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930602016809A), Jun 2, 1993: Scwzer G164B, St Martinville, LA, Substantial damage. Farm tractor pulled out of cane field as ag craft was landing. Right wing struck the tractor. ## Other investigations on N48724 (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 NYC79FFJ03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FFJ03-138301), Oct 30, 1978: Grumman G-164B (N48724), Wolcott, NY, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.