# NTSB LAX92LA126: Grumman G-164B, N3633C, Dixon, CA, February 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1992, 08:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Dixon, CA
- Coordinates: 38.389396, -121.809265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3894&lon=-121.8093&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 August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA126

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AND THE SOFT DIRT AIRSTRIP.

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT, THE SOLE OCCUPANT, WAS DEPARTING A DIRT AIRSTRIP TO BEGIN AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICALS. THE AIRSTRIP HAD NOT BEEN UTILIZED SINCE RECENT RAINS. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE BRIEFLY, THEN SETTLED BACK ONTO THE SOFT SURFACE OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE AIRPLANE RAN OFF THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AND NOSED OVER IN A WHEAT FIELD. THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN WEIGHT AND BALANCE LIMITS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3633C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3633C), registered now, S/N 776B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- 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: 776B
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Sunrise Duster, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sunrise Duster, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 16, 1992, 95 hours before
- Airport: Collier Strip, runway 27, 2,550 × 15 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 20,000 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F

## 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 19920225009119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920225009119A), Feb 25, 1992: Scwzer G164B, Dixon, CA, Substantial damage. Tried to depart soft mud ag strip with full load. Unable climb, settled. Ran off end runway and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N3633C (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 WPR14LA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA201), May 13, 2014: Schweizer G 164B (N3633C), Biggs, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The assembler’s improper fabrication of a fuel line (hose) and the subsequent failure to verify that it was not occluded, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power during…
- [NTSB WPR10LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA253), May 21, 2010: Schweizer G-164B (N3633C), Robbins, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the wheel hub flange, which allowed the over size tire to expand and impinge on the brake disc and caliper, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing.
- [NTSB LAX88DVG09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88DVG09), Jul 30, 1988: Schweizer G-164B (N3633C), Robbins, 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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