# NTSB LAX91LA362: Schweizer G164B, N7501K, Verona, CA, August 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1991, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Verona, CA
- Coordinates: 38.690219, -121.600486 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6902&lon=-121.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA362
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA362

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION TO DEPART FROM A RUNWAY WITH HIGH VEGETATION ALONG THE EDGE AND SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.

## 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
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - berm (cause)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS DEPARTING A SMALL AIRSTRIP ON THE FOURTH FLIGHT OF THE DAY TO APPLY CHEMICALS TO NEARBY RICE FIELDS.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE TO AVOID A CLUMP OF WEEDS AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.  DURING THE MANEUVER, THE LEFT WING STRUCK VEGETATION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STRIP, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO SWERVE INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD.  THE AIRPLANE THEN STRUCK A SMALL BERM AND NOSED OVER.  THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.  THE PILOT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS NOT VALID FOR THE OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7501K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7501K), registered now, S/N 802B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 802B
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Farm Air Flying Service
- Registered owner: Farm Air Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1991, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; flight hours: 7,500 total, 6,500 in this make and model, 7,450 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMF, 6 nm away

## 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 19910819035129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910819035129A), Aug 19, 1991: Scwzer G164B, Verona, CA, Substantial damage. Raised wing on takeoff from farm strip to avoid tall weeds. Other wing dipped hit vegetation and berm.

## Other investigations on N7501K (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 LAX94LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA019), Oct 19, 1993: Schweizer G-164B (N7501K), Arvin, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of power for undetermined reasons.

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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