# NTSB MIA97LA231: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N8721H, Pinehurst, GA, August 15, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1997, 11:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Pinehurst, GA
- Coordinates: 32.189491, -83.7602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1895&lon=-83.7602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38326
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38326/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA231

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain clearance with the cotton crop while maneuvering to begin a spray pass over a 5 foot-tall cotton crop, resulting in the in-flight collision with the crop and terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - crop
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

During an aerial application flight after clearing 75-100 foot-tall trees near the cotton crop field being sprayed, the aircraft was descended too low and the airplane came in contact with the 5 foot-tall cotton crop.  The airplane then descended into the field and came to rest upright.

## Factual narrative

On August 15, 1997, about 1150 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N8721H, registered to J and K Farm, Inc.,  descended into a cotton field near Pinehurst, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight originated about 10 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated that after loading the chemical the flight departed and he performed three or four spray passes on the field.  While returning for another after passing over trees to begin chemical application, with adequate airspeed, the airplane continued descending and the main landing gear contacted the cotton crop.  The airplane then impacted the field and came to rest upright.  When asked if there was an engine malfunction the pilot advised he was not sure but he did state that he did not stall the airplane.

According to an individual who recovered the airplane, the trees that the airplane had passed over were about 75-100 feet tall and the 5-foot-tall cotton crop began about 20 feet from the edge of the trees.  The first impact point with the terrain was about 195 feet past the tree line.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8721H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1491
- Engines: P&W R985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: J And K Farm, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1997, 225 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,165 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,076 as pilot in command, 252 in the last 90 days, 154 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCN

## 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 19970815022619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970815022619A), Aug 15, 1997: Scwzer G164A, Pine Hurst, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit during aerial application. (.4)during an aerial application flight after clearing 75-100 foot-tall trees near the cotton crop field being sprayed,…

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.