# NTSB LAX85LA320: Grumman G-164A, N7853, Durham, CA, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 05:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Durham, CA
- Coordinates: 39.610843, -121.769538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6108&lon=-121.7695&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): 24774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA320
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA320

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering - aerial application
  - spray/dusting equipment - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- Fire, landing
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AG FLIGHT IN WHICH A COMPOUND CONTAINING SULFUR DUST WAS BEING SPRAYED A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ACFT'S SPRAY APPARATUS. THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH HEAVY SMOKE & THE PLT MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LDG IN THE UNDERLYING FIELD. THE FIRE SPREAD & EVENTUALLY CONSUMED THE ACFT. PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF THE FIRE, THE PLT DID NOT REPORT EXPERIENCING ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE ACFT. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT ASCERTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7853](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7853-2001-08-06), registration cancelled 2001-08-06, S/N 801 (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
- Serial number: 801
- Airframe hours: 3117
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Pm Dusters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1985, 175 hours before
- Departed: DURHAM, CA
- Airport: Mcroe

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 5,050 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 4,938 as pilot in command, 286 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850717031839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717031839A), Jul 17, 1985: Scwzer G164A, Durham, CA, Destroyed. Sulfur dust in spraying compound ignited during spraying run. Landed safely but the aircraft was consumed by fire.

## Other investigations on N7853 (1)

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 OAK74DVM18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK74DVM18), Mar 4, 1974: Grumman G-164 (N7853), San Lucas, 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.

---
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.