# NTSB LAX98LA255: Grumman G-164A, N8388, Nelson, CA, August 3, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 3, 1998, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Nelson, CA - Location: 39.5521° N, 121.7655° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nelson, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5521&lon=-121.7655&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43602 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43602/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA255 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate ground clearance altitude while applying chemicals to a rice field. ## 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 - terrain condition - crop - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had to fly over wires to enter the field where he was to apply chemicals. On his first pass over the rice field, he allowed the aircraft to get too low after clearing the wires and was unable to pull out before the main landing gear wheels touched the water and crops. The aircraft then crashed into the rice field. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 3, 1998, at 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N8388, collided with a rice paddy while applying chemicals near Nelson, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Williams AG Service of Biggs, California, and was on a local area aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The aircraft was destroyed in the ground collision sequence. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Biggs airport on the day of the accident at 1000. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he reported that he had to fly over wires to enter the field. On his first pass over the rice field, he allowed the aircraft to get too low and was unable to pull out. The main landing gear wheels touched the water and crops, and the aircraft crashed into the rice field. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8388](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8388), registered now, S/N 880, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-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: 880 - Airframe hours: 9309 - Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Williams Ag Service - Registered owner: Clarence Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 16, 1998, 92 hours before - Departed: CL23, BIGGS, CA - Airport: CL23, Biggs ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,062 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 4,062 as pilot in command, 600 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## Other investigations on N8388 (2) 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 LAX82DA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA194), May 26, 1982: Grumman G-164A (N8388), Woodland, CA, destroyed - [NTSB LAX80FVG34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVG34), Apr 26, 1980: Grumman G-164 (N8388), Palermo, 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.