# NTSB LAX94LA255: Grumman G-164B, N3629P, Dateland, AZ, June 9, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1994, 21:30 local (Jun 9, 1994, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Dateland, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.939147, -113.339355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9391&lon=-113.3394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 12, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA255

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTACLES.  NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS AND THE DUST WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - object - wire,transmission
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHTS AT NIGHT FROM A DIRT AIRSTRIP. AFTER TAKEOFF WITH THE FOURTH LOAD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK POWER LINES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A DESERT AREA AND WAS CONSUMED BY A POSTIMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT A LAYER OF DUST FROM PREVIOUS OPERATIONS INTO AND OUT OF THE AIRSTRIP OBSCURED THE POWER LINES.

## Factual narrative

On June 8, 1994, about 2130 hours mountain standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N3629P, crashed during takeoff at a private dirt airstrip, about 8 miles north of Dateland, Arizona.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) aerial application flight under Title 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by Pierce Aviation, Buckeye, Arizona, was destroyed by impact and postimpact fire.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The operator reported that the pilot was applying a liquid pesticide "Orthene" on fields adjacent to a 2,700-foot dirt airstrip.  On the fourth departure, the pilot began a takeoff to the east and after lift-off struck power lines located at the end of the runway.  The airplane then landed in a desert area and caught fire.  The pilot indicated that a layer of dust from operations into and out of the dirt airstrip had obscured the power lines.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the pilot notified the FAA of the accident on June 15, 1994.  The pilot was sent a Pilot/Operator Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, by National Transportation Safety Board investigators.  The report was returned with minimal information and was unsigned.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3629P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3629P-1995-08-17), registration cancelled 1995-08-17, S/N 750B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 750
- Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Pierce Aviation
- Registered owner: Pierce Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 13,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19940608017679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940608017679A), Jun 8, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Dateland, AZ, Destroyed. During takeoff climb struck power lines crashed and burned. Pilot reported dust obscured the power line.

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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