# NTSB MIA84FA051: Grumman C-164, N647U, South Bay, FL, December 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 28, 1983, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: South Bay, FL
- Coordinates: 26.6804, -80.669189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6804&lon=-80.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30961
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30961/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application

## Analysis

AS THE ACFT INITIATED A TURN TO START DUSTING, IT WAS OBSERVED TO LOSE ALTITUDE RAPIDLY & COLLIDE WITH THE GROUND. THE ACFT WAS 470 LBS OVER MAX GROSS TAKEOFF WEIGHT. THE AREA WAS AFFECTED BY GUSTY WINDS FROM THE SOUTH, & THE PLT'S INITIAL TURN TO THE FIELD WAS MADE TO THE NORTH(DOWNWIND). WX CONDITIONS WERE ALSO CONDUCIVE TO LOW LEVEL WINDSHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N647U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N647U-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 383, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN C-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 383
- Airframe hours: 3211
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Lee Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: S. BAY GROWERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °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 19831228064909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831228064909A), Dec 28, 1983: Scwzer G164, South Bay, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft was observed to lose altitude rapidly during approach for first swath run. Wing shear possible factor.

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.