# NTSB MKC85LA225: Grumman G-164A, N8561H, Griffithville, AR, July 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1985, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Griffithville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.119266, -91.640495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1193&lon=-91.6405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT THE ACFT FISHTAILED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND RAN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS HEADING TOWARD A CANAL AND THE PLT ELECTED TO TRY TO FLY OVER THE CANAL. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND FLEW ABOUT 1/4 MI. THE PLT SAW TREES AHEAD AND WHEN HE MADE A SHALLOW TURN TO AVOID THE TREES THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8561H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1410
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Bell'S Ag Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Airport: Bell'S Ag Strip, runway 9, 2,540 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,703 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,605 as pilot in command, 422 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °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 19850715054579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850715054579A), Jul 15, 1985: Scwzer G164A, Griffithville, AR, Substantial damage. Left side of runway after fishtailing, flew over canal, stalled in turn to avoid trees. Not reported until 10/7/85.

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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