# NTSB LAX08CA223: Grumman Acft Eng G-164B, N6792Q, Patterson, CA, July 10, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 10, 2008, 05:28 local (12:28 UTC)
- Place: Patterson, CA
- Coordinates: 37.421665, -121.111663
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4217&lon=-121.1117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA223

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles while maneuvering.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md)
- [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Near dawn, the pilot took off to perform an aerial application flight. While maneuvering over the designated field, the airplane collided with a pole. Thereafter, the pilot lost control of the airplane and crashed into the underlying field. The airplane was partially consumed by a post impact fire, and the pilot sustained a minor injury. The operator reported that during the flight the pilot had not experienced any mechanical malfunction with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

Near dawn, the pilot took off to perform an aerial application flight. While maneuvering over the designated field, the airplane collided with a pole. Thereafter, the pilot lost control of the airplane and crashed into the underlying field. The airplane was partially consumed by a post impact fire, and the pilot sustained a minor injury. The pilot and the operator reported that during the 10-minute-long flight no mechanical malfunction was experienced.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6792Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6792Q-2009-03-09), registration cancelled 2009-03-09, S/N 303B, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman Acft Eng G-164B
- 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 303B
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Valley Crop Dusters Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: CA67, Patterson, CA
- Destination: CA67, Patterson, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 12,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20080710839869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080710839869A), Jul 10, 2008: Scwzer G164B, Patterson, CA, Destroyed. (-23) At the beginning of the first spray pass on a field (melons) the pilot noticed a electrical power line going from a high voltage feed line to a…

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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