# NTSB FTW99LA095: Grumman G-164A, N8742H, Gillett, AR, March 18, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1999, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Gillett, AR
- Coordinates: 34.109184, -91.370719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1092&lon=-91.3707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA095

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during the downwind departure. Factors were the tailwind and the wet soft grass airstrip.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The agricultural aircraft impacted the terrain during the downwind takeoff/initial climb to the south from the wet and soft grass airstrip (2,600 feet). The operator reported the winds were from the north at 15 knots. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).

## Factual narrative

On March 18, 1999, at 0800 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, agricultural aircraft, N8742H, impacted the terrain during the takeoff/initial climb near Gillett, Arkansas.  The aircraft, owned and operated by Trites Flying Service, Gillett, Arkansas, was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant, received minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the local aerial application flight.  The aircraft was departing from a private grass airstrip at the time of the accident.

The operator and the pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge (IIC) that the grass/sod runway (2,600 feet in length) was wet and soft.  The airplane was loaded with fertilizer.  The winds were from the north at 15 knots and the airplane departed downwind.  After becoming airborne, the airplane lost altitude, and impacted in a field.  Damage occurred throughout the structural components of the airplane.  No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported on the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8742H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8742H-2001-09-13), registration cancelled 2001-09-13, S/N 1509 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1509
- Airframe hours: 6665
- Engines: Pzl-Kalisz PZL-RZESZOW 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: John Trites
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 17, 1998, 438 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: None, runway 18, 2,600 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 9,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19990318002359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990318002359A), Mar 18, 1999: Scwzer G164A, Gillett, AR, Destroyed. Acft lost control on take-off and was destroyed, other circumstances are unknown. (-23)pilot attempted downwind takeoff. Aircraft was fully loaded. After…

## Other investigations on N8742H (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 FTW77FPG71](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPG71), Jul 21, 1977: Grumman G-164A (N8742H), Stuttgart, AR, substantial damage

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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