# NTSB FTW96LA231: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N188TB, Bunkie, LA, May 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1996, 19:11 local (May 31, 1996, 00:11 UTC) - Place: Bunkie, LA - Coordinates: 30.950054, -92.179924 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9501&lon=-92.1799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19852/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA231 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - Nose over, other - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was applying herbicides to rice fields approximately 2 miles from the farm strip he had departed from. He added that the airplane 'began to quit flying' during the turn to reverse direction for the second swath. He further stated that he 'lowered the nose, applied full power and dumped the load;' however, the airplane 'failed to respond' and continued to descent toward the ground. According to the operator, the pilot managed to level the wings prior to impact with the ground. Both main landing gear sank in the soft ground and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by the operator revealed that the pitch on one of the propeller blades was in the feather position; however, the investigation was not able to determine if this condition was the result of impact damage. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1996, at 1911 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N188TB, was substantially damaged following a loss of control near Bunkie, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The aerial application flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. In the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that he was applying herbicides to his rice fields approximately 2 miles from the farm strip he departed from. The pilot added that the airplane "began to quit flying" during the turn to reverse direction to initiate a second swath. He further stated that he "lowered the nose, applied full power and dumped the load;" however, the airplane "failed to respond" and continued to descent toward the ground. According to the operator, the pilot recovered to the point that he was able to level the wings prior to impact with the ground. Both main landing gear sank in the soft ground and the airplane nosed over coming to rest in the inverted position. Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed that both top wings and the forward portion of the fuselage sustained structural damage. The operator further stated that the pitch in one propeller blades was found in the feather position; however, the investigation was not able to determine if this condition was the result of post-impact damage. The density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge to be 1,300 feet at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N188TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N188TB-1999-04-28), registration cancelled 1999-04-28, S/N 176B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 176B - Airframe hours: 8041 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Sterling C. Bain Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 1996, 66 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,427 total, 68 in this make and model, 1,355 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: AEX, 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 19960530012059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960530012059A), May 30, 1996: Scwzer G164B, Bunkie, LA, Substantial damage. Aircraft lost power and attempted to make an emergency landing, flipped over on landing. (-23) the pilot was conducting agricultural aircraft operations by… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.