# NTSB FTW95LA331: Grumman G-164A, N732Y, St.Francisville, LA, August 5, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1995, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: St.Francisville, LA
- Coordinates: 29.989385, -91.060676 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9894&lon=-91.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA331

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH THE OBSTRUCTION ON SHORT FINAL. A FACTOR WAS THE LOW VISIBILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - undetermined (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE IMPACTED AN OBSTRUCTION WITH THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WHILE ON SHORT FINAL TO THE PASTURE FROM WHICH HE HAD DEPARTED FOR THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOT COMPLETE AND RETURN THE PILOT/OPERATOR REPORTS PROVIDED BY THE INVESTIGATOR. THE TYPE OF OBSTRUCTION IMPACTED BY THE AIRPLANE ON SHORT FINAL WAS NOT DETERMINED. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, A PARTIAL OBSCURATION PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WITH THE VISIBILITY REPORTED AS ONE MILE IN LIGHT RAIN.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1995, at 1200 central daylight time, a Grumman  G-164A, N732Y, was substantially damaged upon impact with obstructions while landing near St. Francisville, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  The aircraft was being operated as an aerial application flight by Air Care Farm Service Inc., under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight.

According to the operator, the airplane was returning to the same pasture from which it had departed earlier for an aerial application flight.  The operator added that the left main landing gear separated from the airframe after striking an obstruction while on short final.  The airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position damaging both wings.

According to the operator report, the weather at the accident site differed from that reported at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, approximately 26 miles to the southeast.  According to the operator a partial obscuration at 800 foot prevailed with visibility at one mile with light rain.

Despite several requests, the pilot did not complete and return the NTSB forms 6120.1/2 provided by the investigator.  The type of the obstruction impacted by the airplane on short final was never determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732Y-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 292, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (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: 292
- Airframe hours: 8600
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bernard J. Turner
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 16, 1995, 75 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,500 total, 300 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTR, 26 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).

- [Incident 19950805031159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950805031159I), Aug 5, 1995: Scwzer G164, St Francisville, LA, Minor damage. En route landed in field due weather,cleared. Departed but weather again. Landed same field. Hit bump,broke main gear

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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