# NTSB FTW95LA233: Schweizer G-164B, N7501P, Collegeport, TX, June 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1995, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Collegeport, TX
- Coordinates: 28.679094, -96.159965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6791&lon=-96.1600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA233

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF IN AN OVERWEIGHT CONDITION FROM AN 1,800 FOOT RUNWAY. FACTORS WERE THE WET AND SOFT CONDITION OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vr) - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE AERIAL APPLICATION PILOT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN 1,800 FOOT, 'SOFT, WET' AIRSTRIP IN AN AIRPLANE 'OVERLOADED' WITH FERTILIZER AND FUEL. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ATTAIN FLYING SPEED WITHIN THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE END OF THE RUNWAY IMPACTING BUSHES AND SMALL TREES COMING TO REST IN THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Factual narrative

On June 3, 1995, at 1600 central daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N7501P, was substantially damaged during takeoff near Collegeport, Texas.  The airline transport rated pilot was not injured.  The aircraft was being operated by Fehmel Planes, Inc., under Title 14 CFR Part 137.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight and a flight plan was not filed.

During a personal interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that the airplane was loaded with fertilizer and refueled at an 1,800 foot airstrip.  He further stated that during the takeoff roll, the soft, wet ground prevented the "overloaded" airplane from attaining takeoff airspeed.  The airplane overran the end of the runway impacting bushes and small trees before coming to rest in the inverted position.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7501P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7501P), registered now, S/N 804B, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 804B
- Engines: P&W PT6A-15AG 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Fehmel Planes, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, None, runway 36, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 8,800 total, 5,400 in this make and model, 7,600 as pilot in command, 422 in the last 90 days, 218 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSX, 8 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 19950603049389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950603049389A), Jun 3, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Collegeport, TX, Substantial damage. (-16) Wet ground conditions and tall grass prevented the aircraft from attaining takeoff airspeed.

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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