# NTSB MIA89LA203: Grumman G-164A, N4579, Schlater, MS, July 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1989, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Schlater, MS
- Location: 33.6397° N, 90.3494° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Schlater, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6397&lon=-90.3494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA203

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY. THE TAILWINDAND DIRT BANK WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not attained
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT BEGAN TAKING OFF IN A QUARTERING TAILWIND WITH 1600 LBS OF FERTILIZER & 70 GALS OF FUEL. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK A LEVEE AT THE END OF THE STRIP & NOSED OVER IN A RICE FIELD. THE PLT'S CLASS II MED CERT WAS DATED 5/4/88.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4579](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4579-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 1063, built 1973 (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: 1063
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Agri-Flex, Inc.
- Registered owner: Agri Flex, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: Pee Dee Plantation, runway 36, 2,000 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: front; flight hours: 3,100 total, 310 in this make and model, 310 in the last 90 days, 140 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GWO, 15 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 19890719024239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890719024239A), Jul 19, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Schlater, MS, Substantial damage. Unable to climb on takeoff,began dumping load but tailwheel hit an embankment and aircraft nosed over. Had tail wind

## Other investigations on N4579 (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 FTW75DRA26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75DRA26), May 12, 1975: Grumman G-164A (N4579), El Campo, TX, 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.

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