# NTSB MKC88LA104: Grumman G-164A, N9653, Hickory Ridge, AR, May 31, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1988, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Hickory Ridge, AR
- Coordinates: 35.40052, -90.989341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4005&lon=-90.9893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA104

## 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
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - load jettison - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EXECUTING A STANDARD PROCEDURE AERIAL APPLICATION TURN AROUND MANEUVER, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. THE PLT DUMPED HIS REMAINING CHEMICAL LOAD, BUT ACFT CONTINUED TO SETTLE, AND MUSHED INTO THE TREES. POST ACCIDENT FIRE DESTROYED THE ACFT, BUT THE PLT ESCAPED WITH NO INJURIES. THE PLT SAID THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS DUST DEVILS IN THE AREA AND HE CLASSIFIED THE TURBULENCE AS SEVERE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9653](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9653-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 1195 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1195
- Airframe hours: 4600
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hamilin Flying Service
- Registered owner: Hamilin Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 31, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: AR50, WYNNE, AR
- Airport: AR50, Hess Pvt, runway 36, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 1,978 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880531017359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880531017359A), May 31, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Hickory Ridge, AR, Destroyed. Unable to stop sink rate on an ag turn around and crashed into trees. Gusty surface wind and dust devils in aera.

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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