# NTSB LAX06CA168: Grumman G-164A, N4892, Yuba City, CA, May 11, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 11, 2006, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Yuba City, CA - Coordinates: 39.049423, -121.730949 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0494&lon=-121.7309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63693/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA168 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - short runway/landing area - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane stalled during departure from the airstrip and collided with trees. The airplane was loaded with 1,800 pounds of chemical and the temperature was approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During the initial climb, the pilot realized that the airplane would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. He attempted an avoidance maneuver but the airplane stalled and impacted trees. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 2006, at 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N4892, stalled during the takeoff-initial climb from a private airstrip and impacted trees in Yuba City, California. Twin Cities Aviation L.L.C. operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The airline transport pilot who held commercial privileges for single engine airplanes, and was the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local area aerial application flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he hauled two 1,800-pound loads prior to the accident flight from the private airstrip that had trees and two double trailers at its end. The airstrip was unusable the first 300 feet. As he advanced the throttle to takeoff power, he noted a slight tailwind. After the airplane lifted from the runway, the pilot realized that he would not be able to clear the trees at the end of the runway. During an avoidance maneuver, the airplane stalled and impacted the trees. The temperature was about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. The pilot suggested the following recommendations to prevent similar accidents: when working from short airstrips or with obstacles, consider reducing loads until performance for the given conditions are determined; prior to operations from short airstrips, define a point down the runway at which the tail wheel should be off of the ground; determine a maximum temperature for maximum loading and when temperature exceeds this, reduce the load; and, when conditions are less that optimal, consult with supervisor before continuing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4892](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4892-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N 1093, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1093 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R1340-AN-1 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Twin Cities Aviation L.L.C. - Registered owner: Diversified Lenders, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Yuba City, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 7,750 total, 175 in this make and model, 2,670 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F ## 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 20060511006689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060511006689A), May 11, 2006: Scwzer G164A, Twin City, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff with heavy load on hot day, clipped a tree and rolled into ground. Minor injuries to pilot and substantial damage to aircraft. 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.