# NTSB LAX99LA180: Grumman G-164A, N8875H, Maxwell, CA, May 7, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 1999, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Maxwell, CA - Coordinates: 39.309097, -122.170768 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3091&lon=-122.1708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA180 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to attain and maintain the proper reference climb airspeed during the rotation and initial climb, which resulted in a stall/mush condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed(vref) - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8875H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8875H), registered now, S/N 1556, built 1975 (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: 1556 - Airframe hours: 8578 - Engines: P&W R1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Richter Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1999, 33 hours before - Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 36, 2,900 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,278 total, 870 in this make and model, 1,203 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CIC, 30 nm away ## 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 19990507004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990507004949A), May 7, 1999: Scwzer G164A, Maxwell, CA, Substantial damage. (-23)Pilot departed duster strip in approximately his eight flight of the day, after departure to the north with a full hopper of seed, he made a left turn and… ## Other investigations on N8875H (1) 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 WPR15LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15LA160), May 13, 2015: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A (N8875H), Maxwell, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper preflight inspection and fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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.