# NTSB LAX76FVA47: Grumman G-164A, N7980, Bakersfield, CA, March 18, 1976

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 18, 1976
- Place: Bakersfield, CA · BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Location: 35.3733° N, 119.0187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bakersfield, CA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3733&lon=-119.0187&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1976
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 153174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX76FVA47
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FVA47

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0479  76/3/18    BAKERSFIELD,CA      GRUMMAN G-164A      CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 34, 7700
        TIME - 0655                    N7980               PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 1800 IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BAKERSFIELD,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             IN FLIGHT: SURVEY FIELD/AREA
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS - UNDETERMINED
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INCAPACITATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - *ERROR-INVALID CODE*
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 7500                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - OTHER                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GOGGLES - NOT USED
          CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE-NOT USED                        COCKPIT CRASHPAD - NOT INSTALLED
          CRASH BAR - INSTALLED                                    TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  400
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - CROSSWIND
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PILOT WAS LOOKING OVER FLD AT 75 FT WHEN FIRE BROKE OUT BOTTOM OF ACFT. HAZARDOUS VAPORS AVAIL.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7980](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7980-1976-05-11), registration cancelled 1976-05-11, S/N 844 (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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19760318006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760318006499A), Mar 18, 1976: Gulstm G164C, Bakersfield, CA, Destroyed. Pilot was looking over fld at 75 ft when fire broke out bottom of acft. Hazardous vapors avail.

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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