# NTSB FTW98LA252: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N943QC, Coy, AR, June 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1998, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Coy, AR - Coordinates: 34.539627, -91.8703 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5396&lon=-91.8703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20635 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20635/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA252 ## Probable cause failure of the left main tire, which resulted in the pilot's inability to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,tire - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not possible - ground loop/swerve - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The left main landing gear tire blew out as the airplane rotated for takeoff. The pilot continued the takeoff and was able to climb without further incident. He proceed to the field that he intended to spray. After dispensing the load of fertilizer, the pilot elected to return to a nearby unobstructed auxiliary airstrip to execute a precautionary landing. The pilot stated that he touched down on the right wheel, and during the landing roll, he tried to keep the weight of the airplane off the left wheel. The airplane started to pull to the left as more weight was placed on the flat left tire. Eventually, the tire dug into the ground resulting in the left main gear assembly collapsing. The reason for the failure of the left main tire could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1998, at 1600 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane, N943QC, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing near Coy, Arkansas. The non-instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant to the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by Farmer's Flying Service of Coy, Inc., and was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 137 at the time of the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from a local airstrip approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, the left main landing gear tire blew out as the main wheels rotated off the ground during takeoff. The aerial application flight was scheduled to dispense a load of "Urea" fertilizer on a local rice field. After the tire blow out, the pilot continued the takeoff and was able to climb without further incident and proceed to the field he intended to spray. After dispensing the load of fertilizer, the pilot elected to return to a nearby unobstructed auxiliary airstrip, located 3 miles south of his home base, known as the Coleman Brothers Farm airstrip, to execute a precautionary landing to the north. The pilot stated that he touched down on the right wheel, and during the landing roll, he tried to keep the weight of the airplane off the left wheel. The airplane started to pull to the left as more weight was placed on the flat left tire. Eventually the tire dug into the ground resulting in the left main gear assembly collapsing. The airplane came to rest in the upright position on the east side of the airstrip. The pilot stated that he had accumulated over 11,000 flight hours, of which 10,347 were in the same make and model of airplane. Examination of the 1983 turbine powered biplane by the operator revealed that both left wings and the fuselage sustained structural damage. The reason for the failure of the left main tire could not be determined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N943QC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N943QC), registered now, S/N 711B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-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: 711B - Airframe hours: 6447 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331-1 660 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Russell H. Erickson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 16, 1998, 102 hours before - Airport: NONE, Coleman Brothers Farm, runway 36, 2,500 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 11,078 total, 10,347 in this make and model, 230 in the last 90 days, 120 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F ## 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 19980601011829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980601011829A), Jun 1, 1998: Scwzer G164B, Coy, AR, Substantial damage. Acft blew a tire on take off but continued on its aerial application mission, landing gear collapsed. (.4)the left main landing gear tire blew out as the… ## Other investigations on N943QC (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN23LA375](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA375), Aug 21, 2023: Schweizer G-164B (N943QC), Rice, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a left crosswind. 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.