# NTSB LAX93LA226: Grumman G-164B, N48632, Madera, CA, May 26, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1993, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 37.039131, -120.03025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0391&lon=-120.0302&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): 27971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA226

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS BEGINNING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE TURNED LEFT.  THE LEFT WING STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE ADJACENT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PRIVATELY OWNED DIRT AIRSTRIP.  A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND EXISTED AT THE TIME.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY THE IMPACT AND RESULTING POST IMPACT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48632](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48632-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 96B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 96B
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Fred Donovan, doing business as Donovan Dusters
- Registered owner: Ray Pool
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000
- Airport: Private, runway 36, 2,600 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19930526015259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930526015259A), May 26, 1993: Scwzer G164B, Madera, CA, Destroyed. Lost directional control on takeoff veered to left and struck a telephone pole. Quartering tail wind on takeoff.

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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