# NTSB LAX90DVA10: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N6774Q, Westley, CA, August 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1990, 06:10 local (13:10 UTC)
- Place: Westley, CA
- Coordinates: 37.540199, -121.290939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5402&lon=-121.2909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVA10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVA10

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE MAINTAIN OBSTACLE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AGRICULTURE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH AN EIGHT FOOT HIGH CHAIN LINK FENCE SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM AN AIRSTRIP TO BEGIN AN AERIAL APPLICATION. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND, FLIPPED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION NOR DID THE PILOT REPORT ANY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6774Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6774Q), registered now, S/N 284B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN-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)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 284B
- Airframe hours: 3540
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Valley Cropduster, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1990, 200 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,796 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,614 as pilot in command, 282 in the last 90 days, 119 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- 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 19900819034019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900819034019A), Aug 19, 1990: Scwzer G164B, Westley, CA, Destroyed. Lower left wing struck a chain link fence on takeoff from an ag strip. Impacted ground hard and flipped over.

## Other investigations on N6774Q (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 WPR10LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA139), Feb 18, 2010: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B (N6774Q), Colfax, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
- [NTSB SEA01LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA149), Aug 11, 2001: Grumman G-164B (N6774Q), Quincy, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the impeller assembly as a consequence of impeller rub and binding within the impeller collector case for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB SEA95LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA188), Jul 28, 1995: Grumman G-164B (N6774Q), Ephrata, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS.

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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