# NTSB LAX93LA115: Grumman G-164, N10212, Chowchilla, CA, February 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1993, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Chowchilla, CA
- Coordinates: 37.070075, -120.269157 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0701&lon=-120.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA115

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE TAILWHEEL LOCK AND THE SOFT AND WET TERRAIN WERE FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - tailwheel lock - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO ENGAGE THE TAILWHEEL LOCK AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A 15-FOOT WIDE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER WHEN THE IT EXITED THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT AND ENTERED INTO THE SOFT AND WET TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N10212 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Patterson Flying Service
- Registered owner: Chuck Jones Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Chapman Airfield, runway 7, 2,000 × 15 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 14,315 total, 6,200 in this make and model, 14,100 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19930212002419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930212002419A), Feb 12, 1993: Scwzer G164, Chowchilla, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control when tail came up on takeoff. Exited runway and nosed over in mud.

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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