# NTSB FTW98LA236: Grumman G-164, N744Y, Huntington, UT, May 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1998, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Huntington, UT - Coordinates: 39.410572, -110.999679 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4106&lon=-110.9997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA236 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20621/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA236 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The pilot loaded the aircraft with 200 lbs. of insecticide and 60 gals. of fuel prior to departure. His first pass of spraying the field was successful, but he did not maintain as fast an airspeed on his second pass. As he was rolling out from his second pass, he pulled up over a 50 foot bluff and the aircraft 'mushed in or sank.' There were ridges on both sides, preventing the aircraft from turning. He attempted to fly up the ridge, but the aircraft stalled, impacting the ridge and slid approximately 100 feet before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 1998, at 1040 mountain daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N744Y, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain while maneuvering near Huntington, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the owner under Title 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight which originated from Huntington Municipal Airport, Huntington, Utah, approximately 10 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he loaded the aircraft with 200 lbs. of Puridan and 60 gals. of fuel prior to departure. He departed Huntington airport and arrived at the assigned field at 1038. His first pass was successful "because [he] had plenty of airspeed," but according to the pilot, he did not maintain as fast an airspeed on his second pass. As he was rolling out from his second pass, he pulled up over a 50 foot bluff and the aircraft "mushed in or sank." The pilot stated there were ridges on both sides, preventing him from turning. In his accident report, the pilot stated the plane was behind its power curve by that time and he just had to ride it out. He attempted to fly up the ridge, but the aircraft stalled, impacting the ridge and slid approximately 100 feet before coming to a complete stop. Postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the left main landing gear was separated from the aircraft, all four wings were bent, both propeller blades were destroyed, and the engine cowling was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N744Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N744Y-2001-01-12), registration cancelled 2001-01-12, S/N 321 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 321 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Mark E. Johanson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1998, 12 hours before - Departed: 69V, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,350 total, 45 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 2 knots - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19980523010739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980523010739A), May 23, 1998: Scwzer G164, Huntington, UT, Substantial damage. Too heavy hot day small field. On second pass was fast. Second try mushed into rising terrain on pullup. (.4)the pilot loaded the aircraft with 200 lbs. Of… 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.