# NTSB LAX81FVA55: Grumman G-164A, N8598H, Caruthers, CA, July 23, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 23, 1981
- Place: Caruthers, CA · CARUTHERS, CA
- Location: 36.5399° N, 119.8450° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Caruthers, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5399&lon=-119.8450&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 28, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124518
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVA55
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVA55

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2360  81/7/23    CARUTHERS,CA        GRUMMAN G-164A      CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 1305
        TIME - 1430                    N8598H              PX-  0  0  0  AERIAL APPLICATION        TOTAL HOURS, 805 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          CARUTHERS,CA                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               IN FLIGHT: CLEANUP SWATH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
         SPECIAL DATA
          TOTAL HOURS IN CROP CONTROL - 1005                       KIND OF OPERATION - SPRAYING CROPS
          KIND OF CROP - BEANS                                     TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED - LIQUID CHEMICAL-TOXIC
          PILOT' S SEAT BELT -FASTENED-PROPERLY                    GLOVES - NOT USED
          GOGGLES - NOT USED                                       CRASH HELMET - AVAILABLE USED
          COCKPIT CRASHPAD - INSTALLED                             CRASH BAR - INSTALLED
          TERRAIN-TYPE -LEVEL,FLAT                                 ELEVATION-AREA BEING TREATED-FEET -  300
          SWATH RUN-HOW FLOWN - WIND CALM
        REMARKS- HIT GUY WIRE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8598H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8598H-2024-06-15), registration cancelled 2024-06-15, S/N 1429, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (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

## 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 19810723043859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810723043859A), Jul 23, 1981: Grumav G164A, Caruthers, CA, Destroyed. Struck powerline on pullup from spray run. Crashed inverted in adjacent field.

## Other investigations on N8598H (4)

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 WPR15LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA194), Jun 21, 2015: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A (N8598H), Five Points, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s improper reassembly of the engine during overhaul, which led to the failure of the supercharger-blower due to a lack of lubrication and the subsequent total loss of engine…
- [NTSB LAX96LA299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA299), Aug 8, 1996: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A (N8598H), Caruthers, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power due to the failure of a cylinder. The road's soft surface was a factor.
- [NTSB OAK78FVA72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78FVA72), Aug 11, 1978: Grumman G-164A (N8598H), Selma, CA, destroyed
- [NTSB OAK76DVA91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVA91), Sep 22, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N8598H), Easton, 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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