# NTSB LAX96LA012: Grumman G-164B, N8247K, Lost Hills, CA, October 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1995, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Lost Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 35.610603, -119.900627 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6106&lon=-119.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29310
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29310/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA012

## Probable cause

the pilot misjudged the aircraft's altitude.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said he misjudged his altitude during a course reversal maneuver and a wing tip entered the cotton plants. The aircraft then cartwheeled into the field.

## Factual narrative

On October 16, 1995, at 0950 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164B, N8247K, dragged a wing tip during an aerial application turn maneuver and crashed into a cotton field near Lost Hills, California.  The aircraft was owned and operated by Vince Crop Dusters, Inc., of Buttonwillow, California, and was applying chemicals to a field under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The aircraft was demolished in the impact sequence.  The certificated Airline Transport Pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries.  The flight originated at Buttonwillow on the day of the accident about 0930 hours as a local area aerial application flight.

The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft prior to the accident.  He said he misjudged his altitude during a course reversal maneuver and one wing tip entered the cotton plants.  The aircraft then cartwheeled into the field.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8247K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8247K), registered now, S/N 632-B, built 1979 (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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 632-B
- Airframe hours: 10236
- Engines: P&W PT-6A 500 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Vince Crop Dusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: L62, BUTTONWILLOW, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; 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, 11,000 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19951016047129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951016047129A), Oct 16, 1995: Scwzer G164B, Lost Hills, CA, Destroyed. Misjudged altitude on course reversal to spray next row. Wing caught in cotton. Aircraft cartwheeled.

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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