# NTSB MKC88LA116: Grumman G-164A, N8644H, Cotton Plant, AR, June 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 22, 1988, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Cotton Plant, AR
- Coordinates: 34.999553, -91.250297 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9996&lon=-91.2503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34593
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34593/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA116

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE PILOT DID NOT ADEQUATELY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO HAND-PROPPING THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED AND RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT TAXIING WITHOUT A PILOT AT THE CONTROLS. THE PILOT-LESS AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A UTILITY POLE CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8644H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8644H), registered now, S/N 1444, built 1975 (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: 1444
- Airframe hours: 2928
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1988, 98 hours before
- Airport: Davis, runway 18, 3,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 12,000 total, 7,500 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 52 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 19880622022759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880622022759A), Jun 22, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Cotton Plant, AR, Substantial damage. Started engine by propping. Aircraft hit a utility pole. Pilot stated the brakes were on and throttle retarded.

## Other investigations on N8644H (2)

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 MKC85LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA006), Oct 11, 1984: Grumman G-164A (N8644H), Cotton Plant, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW76DPG93](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76DPG93), Aug 3, 1976: Grumman G-164 (N8644H), Cotton Plant, AR, 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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