# NTSB LAX94LA294: Schweizer G-164B, N3626D, Ligurta, AZ, July 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1994, 01:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Ligurta, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.759529, -113.869789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7595&lon=-113.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA294
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA294

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE SUITABILITY OF THE LANDING AREA PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THE DARK NIGHT AND THE BADGER HOLE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER CONDUCTING A RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHT OVER THE FIELD HE WAS GOING TO SPRAY, THE PILOT THEN OVERFLEW THE DIRT AIRSTRIP TO CHECK FOR OBSTACLES AND LANDED. DURING ROLL-OUT, THE LEFT WHEEL ENTERED A BADGER HOLE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1994, at 0100 hours mountain standard time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3626D, nosed over during the landing roll on a privately owned airstrip near Ligurta, Arizona.  The pilot was completing a visual flight rules local aerial application reconnaissance flight.  The airplane, owned and operated by Pierce Aviation, Buckeye, Arizona, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated at Rolle Airport, Rolle, Arizona, at 0030 hours.

The pilot reported in the aircraft accident report that after departing Rolle Airport he conducted an aerial reconnaissance flight over the field he was going to spray.  He then overflew the privately owned dirt airstrip to check for obstacles and landed.  During the landing roll-out, the left main wheel entered a badger hole and the airplane nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3626D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3626D-1996-06-27), registration cancelled 1996-06-27, S/N 717B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 717B
- Airframe hours: 4400
- Engines: P&W PT6-34AG 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Same As Registered Owner
- Registered owner: Pierce Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1994
- Departed: 44A, ROLLE, AZ
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: Ligurta, runway 10, 1,800 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,500 total, 30 in this make and model, 12,350 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 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 19940722019069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940722019069A), Jul 22, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Liqurta, AZ, Substantial damage. Left main wheel hit badger hole landing on Private strip. Aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N3626D (1)

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 LAX96LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA214), May 30, 1996: Schweizer G-164B (N3626D), Corning, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot misjudged the airplane's clearance from wires he was flying beneath. A contributing factor was the presence of light turbulence.

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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