# NTSB FTW95LA205: Grumman G-164B, N8365K, St Martinville, LA, May 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1995, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: St Martinville, LA
- Coordinates: 30.120075, -91.829368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1201&lon=-91.8294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA205

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE SEEDING RICE, THE AIRCRAFT WAS MANEUVERING FOR A SECOND PASS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS STRUCK BY A GUST OF WIND IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED INTO AN INVERTED POSITION STRIKING TREES AND THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On May 17, 1995, at 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8365K, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Saint Martinville, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot/owner/operator sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local 14 CFR 137 aerial application flight.

During an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector and in a written statement, the pilot reported that he was maneuvering to make another pass over a rice field when he encountered strong winds, "over 40 miles per hour."  The aircraft rolled inverted and impacted trees and the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8365K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8365K-2010-12-27), registration cancelled 2010-12-27, S/N 664B, built 1981 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 664B
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 570 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Freddie D. Denoit
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 8,500 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 24 knots, gusting 33
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 30 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 19950517011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950517011839A), May 17, 1995: Scwzer G164B, St Martinville, LA, Destroyed. While seeding rice reported a strong wind gust. Rolled inverted. Hit trees and ground.

## Other investigations on N8365K (2)

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 MKC87LA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA168), Aug 26, 1987: Grumman G-164B (N8365K), Holly Grove, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC84LA211](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA211), Jul 17, 1984: Grumman G-164B (N8365K), Roe, AR, 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.

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