# NTSB LAX80DVA09: Grumman G-164B, N6617K, Buttonwillow, CA, January 11, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: January 11, 1980
- Place: Buttonwillow, CA · BUTTONWILLOW, CA
- Location: 35.4092° N, 119.4407° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Buttonwillow, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4092&lon=-119.4407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80DVA09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DVA09

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1448  80/1/11  NR.BUTTONWILLOW,CA    GRUMMAN G-164B      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 4000
        TIME - 1130                    N6617K              PX-  0  0  0  ASSOC CROP CTL ACTIVITY   TOTAL HOURS, 2800 IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - AG STRIP
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         BUTTONWILLOW,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: OTHER
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WATER IN FUEL
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - WET,SOFT GROUND
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 3200                       KIND OF OPERATION - FERTILIZING (DUST)
          KIND OF CROP - COTTON                                    TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - DRY CHEMICAL-NONTOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                 GLOVES - USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TANK/HOPPER-LOCATION - FORWARD OF PILOT
        REMARKS- DRAIN SUMP OF FUEL TRUCK APRX 1/2 FULL OF WTR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6617K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6617K-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N 392B, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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 R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Ag Strip

## 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 19800111000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800111000409A), Jan 11, 1980: Gulstm G164B, Buttonwillow, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit while returning to base. Landed soft field, flipped over. Found water in fuel.

## Other investigations on N6617K (2)

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 WPR09LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA228), May 6, 2009: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B (N6617K), Marysville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other airplane while making their final approach for landing.
- [NTSB LAX79DVA43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DVA43), Jun 19, 1979: Grumman G-164B (N6617K), Buttonwillow, CA, 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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