# NTSB GAA18CA401: Grumman G164, N6795Q, Rochelle, IL, July 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2018, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Rochelle, IL - Coordinates: 41.943889, -88.924446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9439&lon=-88.9244&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - 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): 97698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA401 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97698/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97698 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA401 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to move the power lever to the proper position before takeoff, which resulted in insufficient airspeed and a subsequent aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); 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) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); 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) - [Landing: Roll over](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 261 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/097/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the turbine-powered airplane reported that, during takeoff for an agricultural application flight, he failed to move the power lever from the ground idle position to the flight position. During takeoff, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed, aerodynamically stalled about 50 ft above the ground, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage. 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 of the turbine powered airplane reported that, during takeoff for an aerial application flight, he failed to move the power lever from the ground idle position to the flight position. During takeoff, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed, aerodynamically stalled about 50 ft above ground, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6795Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6795Q), registered now, S/N 306B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164 (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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 306B - Year built: 1976 - Engines: Honeywell Garrett 720 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: IL93, Rochelle, IL - Destination: IL93, Rochelle, IL - Airport: IL93, Hendrickson Flying Service, runway S, 2,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 23, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 849 total, 10 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KRPJ, 8 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 20180705009129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180705009129A), Jul 5, 2018: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Rochelle, IL, Destroyed. The flight was a practice flight operated under 14 CFR part 91 with water in the aircraft hopper. The pilot stated that he forgot to bring the aircraft out of… ## Other investigations on N6795Q (2) 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 ATL82DA254](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA254), Aug 30, 1982: Grumman G164B (N6795Q), Sampson, AL, destroyed - [NTSB MIA78DKJ89](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DKJ89), Sep 13, 1978: Grumman G-164B (N6795Q), Vernon, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97698. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467247&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=40467248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467249&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.