# NTSB LAX08LA083: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8148K, Genesee, ID, March 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 22, 2008, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Genesee, ID - Coordinates: 46.551387, -116.926109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5514&lon=-116.9261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 2008-22-21](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-22-21), [AD 78-08-09](https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-08-09) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 67710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA083 ## Probable cause The in-flight failure of the rudder attachment point due to severe corrosion, which made directional control of the airplane not possible during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Fatigue/wear/corrosion (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aircraft structural failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 290 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/337/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis "THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED MARCH 25, 2009." The airplane was departing on an aerial application sortie when the lower portion of the rudder separated and yaw control was lost. The pilot flew the airplane for approximately 1/2 hour to learn its flight characteristics at low airspeeds and low power settings. During the landing, the airplane turned sideways, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the rudder revealed that the lower rudder attachment point had failed. The separation surfaces displayed evidence of severe corrosion. The airplane had an annual inspection on March 17, 2008, and had flown 1/2 hour since the inspection. The area where the corrosion was found and the failure occurred did not require inspection. ## Factual narrative "THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED MARCH 25, 2009." On March 22, 2008, approximately 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8148K, was substantially damaged during landing following the partial separation of its rudder, while in-flight, near Genesee, Idaho. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant in the airplane, sustained a minor injury. Heimgartner Aviation LLC, was operating the airplane under 14 CFR Part 137. The airplane was on an aerial application sortie when the rudder failed; it had departed a private airstrip at approximately 0900. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight; a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot said that a few minutes after takeoff, he lost rudder control. He flew the airplane for approximately 1/2 hour to learn its flight characteristics at low airspeed and low power setting. During the landing, the airplane turned sideways, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors revealed that the lower rudder attachment point had failed and the separation surfaces displayed evidence of severe corrosion. The airplane had an annual inspection on March 17, 2008, and the airplane had flown 1/2 hour since the inspection. On December 19, 2008, the FAA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-22-21, which expanded the applicability of a previous AD 78-08-09 to include all G-164 series airplanes. The previous AD did not include the accident airplane. The expanded AD requires repetitive inspections of the rudder main tubular spar for corrosion and correction if detected. Prior to this AD, the area where the corrosion was found and failure occurred did not require inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8148K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8148K), registered now, S/N 586B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 586B - Airframe hours: 10127 - Engines: Walter M601E-11 751 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Heimgartner Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2008, 0.5 hours before - Departed: PRIV, Genesee, ID - Destination: PRIV - Airport: NONE, Heimgartner Airstrip, runway 27, 1,400 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 15,307 total, 738 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.59 inHg - Observed at: LWS, 15 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 20080322014069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080322014069A), Mar 22, 2008: Scwzer G164B, Juliaetta, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) During take-off from the pilot's privately-owned airstrip, the aircraft experienced a sudden failure of the rudder. The pilot reported that the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N8148K (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 FTW81DPG22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DPG22), Apr 29, 1981: Grumman G-164B (N8148K), Coy, 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. --- 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.