# NTSB LAX91LA088: Grumman G-164A, N969X, Merced, CA, February 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1991, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Merced, CA
- Coordinates: 37.350307, -120.42086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3503&lon=-120.4209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA088

## Probable cause

A DISORIENTED AND INTOXICATED AUTOMOBILE DRIVER ENTERING THE RUNWAY IN FRONT OF THE DEPARTING AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - vehicle
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, driver of vehicle (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), driver of vehicle (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STRUCK AN AUTOMOBILE ON DEPARTURE FROM A PRIVATE DUSTER STRIP. A FARM WORKER AND HIS SON, WHO WERE SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, DROVE ONTO THE STRIP AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEPARTING WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICALS.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMMITTED TO FLIGHT.  THE AIRCRAFT ROTATED PREMATURELY AND STRUCK THE TOP OF THE AUTOMOBILE.  THE AIRCRAFT LOST THE RIGHT SPRAY BOOM, ELEVATOR AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N969X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N969X-2005-04-14), registration cancelled 2005-04-14, S/N 483, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 483
- Engines: P&W R-1340-ANI 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Dennis Noble
- Registered owner: Dennis Noble
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: NONE, Noble Dusters, runway 26, 2,700 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,500 total, 4,500 in this make and model, 5,480 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 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 19910203001609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910203001609A), Feb 3, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. Intoxicated driver drove onto ag strip in front of departing ag aircraft. Hit top of auto but landed safely.

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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