# NTSB GAA18CA383: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164, N151QC, Malin, OR, June 27, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2018, 07:47 local (14:47 UTC) - Place: Malin, OR - Coordinates: 42.11972, -121.694168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1197&lon=-121.6942&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97621 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA383 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97621/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97621 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA383 ## Probable cause The pilot’s misjudgment of the approach and his subsequent exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an agricultural application flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with power lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an agricultural application flight, he misjudged the approach and did not have enough clearance to avoid power lines. The airplane began to sink, and he pulled back on the flight control stick. Subsequently, the airplane aerodynamically stalled and then struck power lines. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during an aerial application flight, he misjudged the approach and did not give enough clearance for power wires. The airplane began to sink and he pulled back on the flight control stick. Subsequently, the airplane aerodynamically stalled into the power wires. The pilot further reported that he did not remember anything else until he awoke in the hospital. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N151QC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N151QC-2020-08-04), registration cancelled 2020-08-04, S/N 474B, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164 (B) - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-1340-an-1) (registry code 51612, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 474B - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 4221.5 - Engines: Honeywell TPE331-2-201A 715 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Macy'S Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Macy'S Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2018 - Departed: O81, Tulelake, CA - Destination: O81, Tulelake, CA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 11, 2017; seat: center; flight hours: 3,625 total, 2,520 in this make and model, 3,575 as pilot in command, 320 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KLMT, 2 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 20180627015749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180627015749A), Jun 27, 2018: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Malin, OR, Substantial damage. Aircraft was spraying a agricultural field near Malin or. Pilot states that during a maneuver to return to the field pilot hit power lines and aircraft crashed. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97621. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 960 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467066&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467067&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 351 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.