# NTSB LAX89DVA08: Schweizer G-164B, N8371K, Livingston, CA, July 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1989, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Livingston, CA
- Coordinates: 37.469989, -120.849884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4700&lon=-120.8499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT A TAKEOFF ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  A FACTOR WAS THE WATER ON THE AIRSTRIP.

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

ON THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE RUNWAY WAS LOCATED NEXT TO A FIELD THAT WAS RECENTLY IRRIGATED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PUDDLE OF WATER FROM THE FIELD. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8371K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8371K-1998-09-19), registration cancelled 1998-09-19, S/N 666B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 666B
- Airframe hours: 2046
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bettencourt Flying Service Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1988, 154 hours before
- Departed: LIVINGSTON, CA
- Airport: runway 36, 2,700 × 48 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,085 total, 1,064 as pilot in command, 187 in the last 90 days, 96 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890718026489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890718026489A), Jul 18, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Livingston, CA, Destroyed. Unaware irrigation had begun. Took off on alfalfa field. Hit standing water and overturned. Failed to check surface

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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