# NTSB LAX88DVG08: Grumman G-164A, N7933, Gridley, CA, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Gridley, CA
- Coordinates: 38.710506, -121.849113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7105&lon=-121.8491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88DVG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG08

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT WING CAUGHT ON HIGH WEEDS. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, VEERED OFF THE LANDING STRIP, AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH PARALLELING THE RUNWAY. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DUE TO THE RUNWAY HAVING NUMEROUS POT HOLES, LANDINGS WERE CONDUCTED ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7933](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7933-1996-06-03), registration cancelled 1996-06-03, S/N 818 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 818
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bowles Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 21, 1988, 76 hours before
- Departed: LIVE OAK, CA
- Destination: GRIDLEY, CA
- Airport: Terhel Farms, runway 18, 4,000 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 2,935 total, 2,137 in this make and model, 401 in the last 90 days, 245 in the last 30 days, 13 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °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 19880701025319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701025319A), Jul 1, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Gridley, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control when weeds caught wing and aircraft was pulled off runway into a ditch.

## Other investigations on N7933 (3)

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 LAX81DVG47](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVG47), Jun 29, 1981: Grumman G-164 (N7933), Colusa, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK73FXQ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73FXQ10-111805), Aug 21, 1972: Grumman G-164A (N7933), Fallon, NV, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK72DXQ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DXQ28), May 3, 1972: Grumman G-164A (N7933), Fallon, NV, 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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