# NTSB LAX94LA247: Grumman G-164A, N8507H, Bakersfield, CA, June 11, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 11, 1994, 09:25 local (16:25 UTC) - Place: Bakersfield, CA - Location: 35.3733° N, 119.0187° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bakersfield, CA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3733&lon=-119.0187&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): 28767 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA247 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28767/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA247 ## Probable cause THE IN-FLIGHT FIRE DUE TO THE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF SULFUR DUST AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Fire, maneuvering - aerial application - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor) - hazardous material - fire (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - wet ## Analysis DURING THE LAST APPLICATION OF SULFUR DUST TO A FIELD, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE SPREADER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE SULFUR DUST HAD A SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION DUE TO THE HIGH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE. ## Factual narrative On June 11, 1994, at 0925 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N8507H, collided with terrain 5 miles west of Bakersfield, California. The aircraft was operated by Vince Crop Dusters I, Buttonwillow, California, and was engaged in aerial application operations. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane was being operated under visual flight rules. In a telephone interview, the operator stated that the pilot was spraying the field with sulfur dust when he encountered an in-flight fire. The pilot landed in a field and flipped over. The operator indicated that spontaneous combustion of the sulfur had occurred due to high temperatures. In his report, the pilot stated the dust caught fire in the spreader in an explosion like condition. The pilot indicated no mechanical malfunction or failure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8507H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8507H-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 1384, built 1974 (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: 1384 - Airframe hours: 2145 - Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: In-Flight - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Vince Crop Dusters I - Registered owner: Vince Crop Dusters - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1994, 17 hours before - Departed: BUTTONWILLOW, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 18,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 16,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F - Altimeter: 28.00 inHg - Observed at: BFL ## 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 19940611015189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940611015189A), Jun 11, 1994: Scwzer G164A, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. While spraying sulfur dust. Load exploded into flames due high temperature. Nosed over on emergency landing. ## Other investigations on N8507H (4) 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 LAX95LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA186), May 11, 1995: Grumman 164A (N8507H), Richvale, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain a glidepath adequate to avoid an obstacle, and his inadequate compensation for the wind. - [NTSB LAX92LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA110), Feb 5, 1992: Grumman G-164A (N8507H), Greenfield, CA, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE DURING AN INTENTIONALLY PERFORMED LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT'S VISUAL PERCEPTION OF THE… - [NTSB LAX81DVA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVA08), Oct 22, 1980: Grumman G-164A (N8507H), Bakersfield, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX76DVA05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76DVA05), Oct 4, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N8507H), Old River, 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. --- 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.