# NTSB MKC89LA070: Grumman G-164B, N6610Q, Griffithville, AR, March 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1989, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Griffithville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.120536, -91.640884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1205&lon=-91.6409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA070

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ASSURE SUITABLE TERRAIN WAS BEING USED FOR THE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT WHILE PRACTICING TO'S AND LDGS ON A GRASS STRIP, HE ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT AND WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM NOSING OVER. THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS PRACTICING FOR POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT WITH AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION AND WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6610Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6610Q-1999-08-03), registration cancelled 1999-08-03, S/N 137B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4500
- Airframe hours: 3972
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1989, 5 hours before
- Departed: GRIFFITHVILLE, AR
- Airport: runway 36, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 290 total, 26 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 40 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 19890302002919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890302002919A), Mar 2, 1989: Scwzer G164B, Griffithville, AR, Substantial damage. Aircraft nosed over on a touch and go landing after hitting a soft spot in the grass strip. Preemployment check.

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.