# NTSB LAX01LA228: Schweizer G-164B, N2236F, Meridian, CA, June 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 27, 2001, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Meridian, CA - Coordinates: 39.134445, -121.90139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1344&lon=-121.9014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52599 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA228 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52599/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA228 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged and inadequate altitude while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - berm - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis During an aerial application flight, the pilot misjudged his altitude and inadvertently collided with a berm thus severing a main landing gear wheel. Thereafter, the pilot landed on the remaining gear. As the airplane slowed to a stop, a wing contacted the ground thus bending an outboard nose rib. The structural deformation was of sufficient severity to have adversely affected the airplane's cruise performance. The pilot was experienced in aerial application flying having amassed over 8,000 hours in the accident model of airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2001, about 0830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N2236F, owned and operated by Sunrise Dusters, Inc., collided with a berm during an aerial application flight near Meridian, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 137, and originated from Knights Landing, California, about 0730. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that while flying at a low altitude over the field, the right main landing gear separated upon colliding with a berm. Thereafter, the pilot burned off fuel and landed on the remaining main landing gear wheel. As the airplane rolled to a stop the wing contacted the ground and bent a nose rib, inboard of the wing tip. Additional damage was subsequently noted and involved a bent firewall. The pilot indicated that this firewall damage may have existed prior to the subject mishap. The pilot holds a Federal Aviation Administration airframe and powerplant certificate. He opined that the damage to the wing section was not of sufficient severity to adversely affect the airplane's performance or flight characteristics while maneuvering at near sea level altitudes. Regarding the pilot's flying experience, he indicated that he had approximately 8,000 flight hours piloting the Schweizer. His total flight time is about 35,000 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2236F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2236F), registered now, S/N 807B, built 1988 (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: 807b - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Sunrise Dusters Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Meridian, CA - Destination: 13Q, KNIGHTS LANDING, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2001; seat: single; flight hours: 35,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: BAB, 22 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 20010627019179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010627019179A), Jun 27, 2001: Scwzer G164B, Meridian, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During aerial application, aircraft's right main gear collided with a rice burm causing the gear to separate. Pilot burned as much fuel as possible and… 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.