# NTSB LAX90DUG05: Grumman G-164B, N6708K, Blythe, CA, April 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1990, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Blythe, CA
- Coordinates: 33.749904, -114.510414 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7499&lon=-114.5104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUG05

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

FAILURE OF THE PILOTS OF N6708K AND N10222 TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF N6708K TO FOLLOW A PREARANGED PROCEDURE FOR REVERSING THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE PLTS OF 2 GRUMMAN G-164 ACFT (N6708K & N10222) PRE-ARRANGED TO CONDUCT AERIAL APPLICATION AT THE SAME FLD.  THEY AGREED TO ENTER THE FLD AT OPPOSITE ENDS ON OPPOSITE HEADINGS & PERFORM A RACETRACK PATTERN.  AT THE COMPLETION OF EACH SWATH, A LEFT TURN WAS PLANNED & THE SEQUENCE WAS TO BE REPEATED UNTIL THE APPLICATION WAS COMPLETED.  A GROUND WITNESS RPRTD THAT AFTER COMPLETING A SWATH RUN, ONE OF THE ACFT (N6708K) TURNED TO THE RIGHT & INTO THE PATH OF THE OTHER ACFT (N10222).  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE 2 ACFT CONVERGED & COLLIDED WITH ONE ANOTHER.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N6708K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6708K-1991-10-29), registration cancelled 1991-10-29, S/N 374B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN 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: 374B
- Airframe hours: 4817
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Donald K. Burkdoll
- Registered owner: Chuck Jones Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1990
- Departed: BLYTHE, CA

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N10222](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10222-2004-04-02), registration cancelled 2004-04-02, S/N 22, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22
- Airframe hours: 10580
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mark D. Lorance
- Registered owner: Chuck Jones Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1990
- Departed: BLYTHE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N6708K; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total
- Pilot, aircraft N10222; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,606 total, 5,500 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Observed at: BLH, 7 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900419010281A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900419010281A), Apr 19, 1990: Scwzer G164B, Blythe, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with company aircraft,N10222,both spraying same field. Had apparently turned wrong way per agreement.
- [Accident 19900419010282A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900419010282A), Apr 19, 1990: Scwzer G164B, Blythe, CA, Destroyed. Two aircraft spraying same field. Collided with other craft N6708K when its pilot turned wrong way per prior planned

## Other investigations on N6708K (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 LAX84LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA338), Jun 7, 1984: Grumman G-164B (N6708K), Tracy, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX83LA464](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA464), Sep 30, 1983: Grumman 164B (N6708K), Tracy, 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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