# NTSB LAX95LA186: Grumman 164A, N8507H, Richvale, CA, May 11, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1995, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Richvale, CA - Coordinates: 39.479228, -121.839164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4792&lon=-121.8392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29093 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29093/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA186 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain a glidepath adequate to avoid an obstacle, and his inadequate compensation for the wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - vehicle ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT APPROACHING RUNWAY 18 AT THE AIRSTRIP, THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO LOW AND TOO SLOW AND IT STARTED TO MUSH. THE PILOT CONTINUED WITH THE APPROACH AND LANDING, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A 'BOBTAIL' TRUCK. AT THE TIME, THE WIND WAS FROM 180 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1995, at 1400 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Grumman 164A, N8507H, operated by AVAG, Inc., collided with a truck while landing at the Cherokee (uncontrolled) airstrip near Richvale, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the agricultural flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Richvale, California, at 1350 PDT. According to the pilot, while coming in for a landing on runway 18, the airplane was "to low and to slow," and it "started to mush." The pilot continued with the approach, and the airplane collided with a "bobtail" truck. At the time, the wind was from 180 degrees at 15 knots. ## 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 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: 2155 - Engines: P&W R-1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Avag, Inc., doing business as Agricultural Flight - Registered owner: Vince Crop Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1995, 10 hours before - Airport: Cherokee Strip, runway 18, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 14,724 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 15 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19950511011709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950511011709A), May 11, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Richvale, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with a truck on ag air strip while landing. Came in too low. ## 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 LAX94LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA247), Jun 11, 1994: Grumman G-164A (N8507H), Bakersfield, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE IN-FLIGHT FIRE DUE TO THE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF SULFUR DUST AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE. - [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.