LAX99LA180

This was the 18th flight of the day and the pilot was departing with a full load of seed. After takeoff, at 20 feet agl, the airplane began to settle and the pilot could not arrest the descent prior to ground impact. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities with the engine prior to the impact and that the engine was developing full power. The pilot stated that the winds may have shifted from a headwind to a crosswind on takeoff. He stated that winds at the accident site were from the north at 2-3 knots.

On May 7, 1999, at 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N8875H, descended to ground impact during the takeoff initial climb from a private dirt strip near Maxwell, California. The airplane, operated by Richter Aviation under 14 CFR Part 137, was destroyed. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local area agricultural operation and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from the departure airstrip at the time of the accident.

In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that this was the 18th haul of the day and the airplane was carrying a full load of seed. He reported that at 20 feet above ground level (agl) the airplane started to "settle" and the airplane would not gain altitude and impacted terrain. The pilot stated that no engine malfunctions were noted and that weather conditions were clear.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he believes "that the wind shifted from a headwind to a crosswind on takeoff." The pilot said that he believed the winds were out of the north at 2-3 knots.

The closest weather reporting station 30 miles northeast in Chico, California was reporting winds from 320 degrees at 8 knots. Based on the operator's report of the altimeter setting and outside air temperature, an approximate density altitude of 1,000 feet was calculated.