# NTSB LAX83LA115: Grumman G164A, N8679H, Mendota, CA, February 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1983, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mendota, CA
- Coordinates: 36.669807, -120.449951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6698&lon=-120.4500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA115

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES AND CRASHED DURING AND AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE ACFT STALLED AFTER HITTING THE WIRES WITH THE LEFT WING AND WAS OUT OF CONTROL WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD 3 MILES VISIBILITY. HE WAS ALSO FAMILAR WITH THE FIELD AND ITS ENVIRONMENT. WEATHER OBSERVATION FROM FRESNO, LOCATED 32 MILES EAST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8679H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8679H-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 1464, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164A
- 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
- Serial number: 1464
- Airframe hours: 1705
- Engines: P&W 1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: San Luis Air Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 15, 1982, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 20,800 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 45 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 32 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 19830222043739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830222043739A), Feb 22, 1983: Scwzer G164A, Mendota, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft collided with wires and crashed during spraying operation.

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.