# NTSB LAX95LA346: Grumman G-164B, N6779K, Avondale, AZ, October 1, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1995, 18:38 local (Oct 1, 1995, 01:38 UTC)
- Place: Avondale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.44926, -112.30918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4493&lon=-112.3092&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA346

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to plan to avoid wake turbulence.

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT IN A CLOSE AREA.  DURING THE PROCEDURE TURN THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED THE AIRPLANE'S WAKE TURBULENCE.  DURING THE RECOVERY, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 1995 at 1838 hours mountain standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N6779K, crashed while executing an aerial application maneuver at Avondale, Arizona.  The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137.  The airplane, operated by Moseley Aviation, Inc., Avondale, Arizona, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated from the operator's airstrip at Avondale at 1815 hours.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators interviewed the operator via the telephone on September 30, 1995.  The operator said that the airplane stalled when the pilot was executing a procedure turn maneuver.

The pilot submitted the required Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.  He said in the report that he elected to execute shorter radius turns while spraying a half section of a field.  He normally sprays the field using a wide circling pattern.

During the turn, the pilot encountered the airplane's wake turbulence.  He pushed the control yoke forward to recover from the turbulence, but the airplane's altitude was insufficient to effect a normal recovery and the airplane struck the ground.

The pilot also indicated in the report that the airplane did not experience any preexisting malfunctions or failures.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6779K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6779K-1997-10-14), registration cancelled 1997-10-14, S/N 470B (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 470B
- Airframe hours: 2532
- Engines: P&W R-1340 650 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Moseley Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 27, 1995, 285 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,359 total, 1,560 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19950930030739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950930030739A), Sep 30, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Avondale, AZ, Substantial damage. Stalled during procedure turn. Steeper than normal turn hit prop wash lost control. Impacted ground.

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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