# NTSB LAX03LA239: Grumman G-164, N477Y, Hamilton City, CA, July 22, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 2003, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton City, CA
- Coordinates: 39.683334, -122
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6833&lon=-122.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Feder Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA239

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to avert stalling during a low altitude turn.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - airspeed(vs) - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

During a low altitude turning maneuver, the pilot stalled the airplane, and the airplane impacted the underlying rice field.  At the time, the airplane was spraying with a full load of product for the agricultural application flight.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 2003, about 0730 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N477Y, stalled and crashed into a rice field while maneuvering during an aerial application flight about 4 miles south of Hamilton City, California.  The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured.  The airplane was operated by the accident pilot for the Joseph R. Krajcirik company, Chico, California.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.  The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137, and it originated about 0729.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration coordinator, the pilot stalled the airplane while spraying with a full load.  At the time, the pilot was performing a low altitude turn.  As of July 26, 2004, the National Transportation Safety Board has not received the "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report" form, #6120.1/2 from the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N477Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N477Y-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N 122, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 122
- Airframe hours: 9200
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Krajcirik, Joseph Robert
- Registered owner: P. M. Dusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: Hamilton City, CA
- Destination: Hamilton City, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: single

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 10 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 20030722021879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030722021879A), Jul 22, 2003: Scwzer G164, Hamilton City, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On July 22, 2003, about 0730 pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N477Y, experienced an in-flight loss of control while being maneuvered during an…

## Other investigations on N477Y (1)

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 FTW68F0227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0227), Aug 5, 1967: Grumman G-164 (N477Y), Cotton Plant, AR, 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.

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