# NTSB LAX94LA155: Grumman G-164B, N6528K, Chico, CA, March 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 1994, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Chico, CA - Coordinates: 39.740291, -121.830902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7403&lon=-121.8309&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 November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28691 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28691/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA155 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to obtain/maintain sufficient flying speed during a downwind takeoff and climb, compounded by his reluctance to use full available takeoff power. ## 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 - weather condition - tailwind - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The aircraft was loaded with 190 gallons of fertilizer and an additional 45 gallons of fuel when the pilot attempted a downwind takeoff from a private dirt agricultural airstrip. The pilot said he was unable to maintain sufficient airspeed during his initial climbing left turn toward the northeast. He reported that he had been instructed by the aircraft operator to use a takeoff power setting of 33 inches of manifold pressure and 1,800 rpm's. In the turn, the pilot noticed the aircraft was moving toward the south in a sideward drift. Since the aircraft was not climbing, he added one inch of manifold pressure and, as he did so, noticed that the winds had increased. During the turn, the aircraft's performance became even more sluggish and the aircraft began to settle. The aircraft stalled, landed in a soft dirt field, and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 1994, at 1400 Pacific standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N6528K, sustained substantial structural damage during a downwind take off near Chico, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Chico Aerial Applicators, Inc. of Chico, California, and was conducting an aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated on the day of the mishap at 0700 from the Chico Municipal Airport. In a verbal statement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the aircraft was loaded with fertilizer and was attempting a downwind takeoff from a private dirt agricultural airstrip. According to the inspector, the pilot said he was unable to maintain sufficient airspeed during his initial climb and the aircraft settled on rough terrain off the end of the strip, nosing over. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he had been instructed by the aircraft operator to use a power setting of 33 inches of manifold pressure and 1,800 rpm's. The pilot stated that these power settings were lower than the ones he had used the previous year and that the aircraft performance was more sluggish than in the past. At 1415, 190 gallons of ammonium sulfate was loaded in the hopper and 45 gallons of fuel was added. The pilot took off toward the south with an estimated tailwind of six knots. The pilot said he began a left turn toward a northeasterly direction, but noticed the aircraft was moving toward the south in a sideward drift. He also noticed that the aircraft was not climbing as expected, so he added one inch of manifold pressure and, as he did so, also noticed that the winds had increased. After the turn toward the northeast, the aircraft performance became even more sluggish and the aircraft began to settle. At the last moment, the pilot banked left to avoid a dirt embankment directly ahead of the aircraft, and stalled, contacting the ground in a dirt field. As the aircraft touched down, the propeller dug in and the aircraft nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6528K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6528K), registered now, S/N 354B, built 1977 (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: 354B - Airframe hours: 7100 - Engines: P&W R-985/AN-1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Chico Aerial Applicators, Inc. - Registered owner: Chico Aerial Applicators, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 1993, 65 hours before - Airport: NONE, M&J Ag Airstrip, runway 18, 2,000 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,485 total, 401 in this make and model, 10,270 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CIC, 1 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 19940304003899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940304003899A), Mar 4, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Attempted downwind takeoff full load from dirt strip. Unable to hold altitude settled onto rough terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.