# NTSB FTW94LA195: Grumman G-164D, N164MC, Gilbert, LA, June 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1994, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Gilbert, LA
- Coordinates: 32.04943, -91.649063 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0494&lon=-91.6491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA195

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT AN INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM A SLOW ROLL WITH AN UNRESTRAINED PASSENGER RIDING STANDING UP IN AN AREA BEHIND THE PILOT'S SEAT. THE MANEUVER DEVELOPED INTO A FLAT INVERTED SPIN. THE PROPERTY OWNER STATED THAT THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO TERMINATE HIS AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING WORK DUE TO HIGH WINDS IN THE AREA. THE PILOT ALLOWED THE FLAG MAN TO RIDE BACK HOME TO ASSIST HIM IN GETTING THE AIRPLANE CHANGED OVER FROM LIQUID TO DRY SPRAYING.

## Factual narrative

On June 14, 1994, at 1130 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164D, N164MC, was destroyed while maneuvering near Gilbert, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot was fatally injured, while his passenger sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight.

According to the property owner, the pilot was forced to terminate his agricultural spraying work due to high winds in the area.  He added that the pilot had asked his flag man to ride back to home base with him to assist in getting the airplane changed over from liquid to dry spraying.  The pilot removed a large inspection panel aft of the pilot's seat so the flag man could ride standing up unrestrained.

Witnesses observed the airplane enter a flat spin after the airplane became inverted while attempting to perform a slow roll at an estimated altitude between 1,200 and 1,400 feet AGL.

The airplane came to rest on a rice field.  The engine was found buried in the soft ground, with a 6 inch portion of a propeller blade tip above the ground.

The surviving passenger did not make himself available for an interview, nor will he complete a passenger statement form sent to his residence.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N164MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N164MC-1997-03-17), registration cancelled 1997-03-17, S/N 2D (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164D
- Registry model: [Grumman/Schweizer G-164D](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-schweizer-g-164d) (registry code 3952804) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2D
- Airframe hours: 3963
- Engines: P&W PT6A-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Berry, James E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1994, 186 hours before
- Destination: NONE, WISNER, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,548 total, 6,727 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 35 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 19940614015289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940614015289A), Jun 14, 1994: Scwzer G164D, Gilbert, LA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried make a slow roll with unrestrained flagman standing in cockpit behind pilot. Went into flat spin and crashed.

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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