# NTSB FTW99LA157: Grumman G-164A, N73PB, Monaville, TX, June 2, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 1999, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Monaville, TX - Coordinates: 30.090225, -96.079383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0902&lon=-96.0794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46427 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46427/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to touch down on the dry area of the landing strip. A factor was the soft terrain condition on the sides of the grass strip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing at a privately owned airstrip, the runway 'appeared to be in good shape and dry.' However, when the agricultural airplane's main landing gear touched down, 'the wheels sunk into the soft ground,' and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The pilot reported that the landing area was 'dry in the middle and soft on the sides.' ## Factual narrative On June 2, 1999, at 1315 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A agricultural airplane, N73PB, owned and operated by Double L Flying Service, of Wallis, Texas, was substantially damaged during landing near Monaville, Texas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 local aerial application flight. The pilot reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that while landing at a privately owned airstrip, the runway "appeared to be in good shape and dry." However, when the airplane's main landing gear touched down, "the wheels sunk into the soft ground," and the airplane nosed over onto its back. The pilot reported that the landing area was "dry in the middle and soft on the sides." Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that an upper wing spar, the engine mounts, and the vertical stabilizer were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73PB-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 1118 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1118 - Airframe hours: 5689 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Lowell R. Hicks - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 1999, 66 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Peterson ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 11,500 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 11,500 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 3 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 19990602041739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990602041739A), Jun 2, 1999: Scwzer G164A, Monaville, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that while landing at a privately owned airstrip, the runway 'appeared to be in good shape and dry.' However, when the agricultural… ## Other investigations on N73PB (3) 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 CHI08CA242](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA242), Aug 8, 2008: Schweizer G-164A (N73PB), Jefferson, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. The corn crop was a factor. - [NTSB FTW01LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA209), Sep 19, 2001: Grumman G-164A (N73PB), Eagle Lake, TX, destroyed. Probable cause: the partial loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an in flight collision with trees and terrain. - [NTSB LAX77FUJ44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUJ44), Apr 21, 1977: Grumman G-164A (N73PB), Queen Creek, AZ, 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. --- 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.