# NTSB LAX00LA344: Schweizer G-164B, N3626T, Corcoran, CA, September 21, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 21, 2000, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Corcoran, CA - Coordinates: 36.069751, -119.529777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0698&lon=-119.5298&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 15, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50307 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50307/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA344 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors were the pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel tank cover was replaced properly, fuel contamination of the windscreen, and the sun angle that obscured the pilot's vision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - window,flight compartment window/windshield - contamination,other than water (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - improperly serviced (contributing factor) - light condition - dawn (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane veered into a cotton field during takeoff from a dirt canal bank. During refueling, Jet A fuel was spilled on the windshield. The pilot cleaned the windshield and attempted a takeoff. Residual fuel started collecting on the windshield and he aborted the takeoff. He cleaned the windshield more thoroughly and attempted a second takeoff. As the airplane reached flying speed, fluid once again collected on the windshield and obscured his vision. He was departing to the east into the rising sun and lost his forward visual reference. He said there was not sufficient runway remaining to reject the takeoff, therefore he continued. The airplane gained less than 5 feet of altitude and drifted about 20 degrees left. The airplane collided with cotton plants about 2 feet tall, and continued about 300 feet through the field before coming to rest. The right main gear and spray boom separated, and the upper wing partially separated. ## Factual narrative On September 21, 2000, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3626T, veered into a cotton field during takeoff from a dirt canal bank near Corcoran, California. Vince Crop Dusters was operating the airplane as an aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator interviewed the pilot. The pilot said that during refueling, some Jet A fuel was spilled on the windshield. He cleaned the windshield and attempted a takeoff. Residual fuel started collecting on the windshield and he aborted the takeoff. He cleaned the windshield more thoroughly and attempted a second takeoff. The pilot said that as the airplane reached flying speed, fluid once again collected on the windshield and obscured his vision. He was departing to the east into the rising sun and lost his forward visual reference. He said there was not sufficient runway remaining to abort; therefore, he continued the takeoff. The airplane gained less than 5 feet of altitude and drifted about 20 degrees left. The airplane collided with cotton plants about 2 feet tall, and continued about 300 feet through the field before coming to rest. The right main gear and spray boom separated, and the upper wing partially separated. The accident coordinator determined that operations had been under way from this location for approximately 2 hours prior to the accident. The coordinator observed a substance on the windshield. He said the fuel tanks and spray hopper appeared to be ruptured. He interviewed first responders who reported the fuel cap was secure in place when they arrived, but they observed very little fuel in the tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3626T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3626T-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 722B, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: 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: 722B - Engines: P&W PT6-27 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Vince Crop Dusters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: CORCORAN, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: single; flight hours: 16,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 15,800 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VIS, 17 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 20000921008299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000921008299A), Sep 21, 2000: Scwzer G164B, Corcoran, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was conducting aerial application using a canal bank as a runway. While refuelling, some jet a spilled on the fuselage in front of the… ## Other investigations on N3626T (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 WPR09CA114](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA114), Feb 12, 2009: Schweizer G-164B (N3626T), Buttonwillow, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power due to the number four cylinder base nuts becoming loose, allowing the cylinder to detach from the engine case. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's impaired visibility… - [NTSB LAX04LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA267), Jun 7, 2004: Schweizer G-164B (N3626T), Richvale, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power during takeoff due to the engine's deteriorated fuel control unit's inner drive shaft bearing. The reason for the bearing's deteriorated condition could not be determined. 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.