# NTSB MIA00LA168: Grumman G-164B, N6744K, Monticello, MS, May 22, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 2000, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Monticello, MS
- Coordinates: 31.549207, -90.110855 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5492&lon=-90.1109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49263
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49263/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA168

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff into crosswind conditions resulting in the collision with trees. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, a gust of wind from his left, rear quarter forced the Ag-Cat off the centerline of the county road where the right wingtip collided with adjacent trees. The pilot was uninjured and the fertilizer did not spill. The pilot's total flight time in turbine powered aircraft was 14.3 hours.

## Factual narrative

On May 22, 2000, about 1500 central daylight time, a Schweizer/Grumman G-164B, N6744K, registered to a private individual, operated by Payne's Flying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, crashed during takeoff in the vicinity of Monticello, Mississippi.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercially-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, he was taking off with a load of fertilizer in Jeff Davis County, Mississippi, when a left, rear quartering gust of wind forced the Ag Cat right of centerline causing the right wingtip to contact trees. Damage was done to the wings, left main landing gear, and the cabane and "N" struts.

According to an FAA inspector, the flight was in its take off roll from a county hard-topped road for a fertilizer application mission when a left rear quartering gust of wind caused the pilot to lose directional control, collide with adjacent trees, and ground loop. There was no damage to public property, or spillage of the hopper's contents. It was the inspector's opinion that the pilot's low experience level in the airplane type contributed to the loss of control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6744K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6744K-2005-05-12), registration cancelled 2005-05-12, S/N 445B, built 1978 (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: 445B
- Airframe hours: 15200
- Engines: Garrett TPE 331-1-151 665 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Cecil H. Payne
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1999, 931 hours before
- Departed: MONTICELLO, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,405 total, 14 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCB, 28 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 20000522012599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000522012599A), May 22, 2000: Scwzer G164B, Monticello, MS, Substantial damage. (-23) Operating off a road (with flagmen) took load, started takeoff at approx. 300 feet encountered a l quartering wind from behind. R wing hit tree branches.…

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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