# NTSB FTW95LA217: Grumman G-164A, N48538, Ville Platte, LA, May 23, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1995, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Ville Platte, LA
- Coordinates: 30.690128, -92.279106 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6901&lon=-92.2791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA217

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CLEAR A LEVEE DURING THE APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS A TRUCK PARKED ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON APPROACH TO THE 1,400-FT GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE AIRCRAFT'S LOWER RIGHT WING STRUCK A LEVEE '...PULLING [IT] DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT....' THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER IN A BORDERING DITCH. DUE TO A SERVICING TRUCK PARKED ON THE APPROACH END OF THE STRIP THE PILOT COULD NOT MAKE A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH AND MADE AN OFF-SET APPROACH.

## Factual narrative

On May 23, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N48538, was substantially damaged while on approach to landing near Ville Platte, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at a private grass airstrip in Ville Platte, Louisiana earlier in the day.

In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that "while attempting a landing [on a 1,400 foot long grass airstrip]...the right lower wing struck a levee, pulling the airplane down and to the right, resulting in a nose over in a bordering ditch."  Post crash examination of the aircraft revealed structural damage to both wings, the fuselage, and propeller.

An inspection of the accident scene revealed that the pilot could not complete a straight in approach to the 1400 foot landing strip due to a servicing truck being parked on the approach end.  In the pilot's written report he diagrammed his approach,it depicted an angled approach from the north.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48538](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48538-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 1667, built 1976 (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: 1667
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Young, Aaron
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: runway 18, 1,400 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 5,700 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19950523012919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950523012919A), May 23, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Ville Platte, LA, Substantial damage. Wing hit a levee on final for short ag strip. Made offset approach due service truck approach end of runway.

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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