# NTSB LAX94LA099: Grumman G-164A, N8649H, Davis, CA, January 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1994, 16:45 local (Jan 20, 1994, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 39.270542, -122.050308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2705&lon=-122.0503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA099

## Probable cause

was that the pilot misjudged the airplane's altitude during the swath run.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT.  DURING THE SWATH RUN, HE MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH A BERM.

## Factual narrative

On January 19, 1994, about 1645 hours Pacific standard time, a Grumman 164A, N8649H, collided with terrain about 2 miles southeast of Davis, California.  The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) local aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137.  The airplane, registered to and operated by Sunrise Dusters, Inc., Knights Landing, California, was destroyed.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Martin Brothers airstrip, Davis, California, at 1620 hours.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.  He said in the report that during a swath run the airplane struck a dirt bank.  He also indicated the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8649H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8649H-2008-05-01), registration cancelled 2008-05-01, S/N 1445, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1445
- Airframe hours: 7565
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Sunrise Dusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 8, 1993, 72 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 17,350 total, 8,725 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 315° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940119000649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940119000649A), Jan 19, 1994: Scwzer G164A, Davis, CA, Destroyed. Struck a dirt bank during a spray run.

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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