# NTSB LAX83LA172: Grumman American G164-B, N31184, Near Madera, CA, April 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1983, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Near Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.909057, -120.189231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9091&lon=-120.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT HIT A CHUCK HOLE IN HIGH GRASS DURING TAKEOFF ROLL FROM A FIELD FOR AN AERIAL APPLICATION MISSION. THE LEFT LANDING GEAR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE FLIGHT WAS ORIGINATING FROM THE FIELD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31184-2012-03-21), registration cancelled 2012-03-21, S/N 6B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman American G164-B
- 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6B
- Airframe hours: 2473
- Engines: P&W R-985 AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Ray Pool
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1982, 156 hours before
- Airport: runway 27, 1,800 × 20 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 7,929 total, 6,458 in this make and model, 7,176 as pilot in command, 182 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## 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 19830401010929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830401010929A), Apr 1, 1983: Scwzer G164B, Madera, CA, Substantial damage. Left gear sheared off on takeoff when it hit a hole hidden by tall grass on the Private strip.

## Other investigations on N31184 (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 LAX84LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA084), Nov 30, 1983: Grumman G-164B (N31184), Madera, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX76DVA58](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DVA58), Apr 28, 1976: Grumman G-164B (N31184), 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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