# NTSB LAX90DVG08: Schweizer G-164-B, N6689K, Richvale, CA, May 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1990, 19:16 local (May 6, 1990, 02:16 UTC)
- Place: Richvale, CA
- Coordinates: 39.479614, -121.840362 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4796&lon=-121.8404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26576
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DVG08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26576/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DVG08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB DURING TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING INTO TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A FULLY LOADED AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM THE 2200 FOOT LONG RUNWAY 34 AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ABOUT 3/4 DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH AT 10 KNOTS AND WAS AT FULL ENGINE POWER WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PILOT REPORTED EXPERIENCING A 'DEAD SPOT' WHERE THE WIND WAS BLOCKED BY TREES AND EQUIPMENT. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6689K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6689K-1990-12-27), registration cancelled 1990-12-27, S/N 420B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164-B
- 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: 10
- Airframe hours: 7371
- Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Avag, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1990, 398 hours before
- Airport: Richvale, runway 16, 2,200 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 19,500 total, 5,800 in this make and model, 18,800 as pilot in command, 350 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBL, 35 nm away

## Other investigations on N6689K (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 FTW82DA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA287), Jul 20, 1982: Grumman G-164B (N6689K), Humnoke, AR, 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.