# NTSB NYC03LA120: Grumman G-164, N10291, Shiloh, NJ, June 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 6, 2003, 09:14 local (13:14 UTC) - Place: Shiloh, NJ - Coordinates: 39.465, -75.285003 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4650&lon=-75.2850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Admininstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57149 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57149/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight decision to not jettison his load when he realized that he would not clear the trees. A factor was the pilot's inattention to his airspeed at liftoff and on climb. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was making his 4th flight of the day carrying chemicals for spraying. After becoming airborne and approaching a row of trees, he felt a, "burble", and the airplane was unable to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane flew through the tops of the trees, and settled to the ground beyond the trees in a level attitude. The pilot reported that he was unaware of his airspeed at liftoff and climb. Further the pilot elected not to dump the 1,200 pounds of chemicals onboard, which would have decreased his weight by about 25 percent. ## Factual narrative On June 6, 2003, at 0914 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N10291, was substantially damaged during an initial climb after takeoff from Woodcrest Farms Airstrip (JY17), Bridgeton, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot stated: "Fourth aerial application flight of the morning. 30 acres/150 gallons of spray material on board (same as two previous flights). Wind from west at about 5 kts (same as previous flight). Take-off, all conditions normal. Experienced settling at the hedgerow at end of runway and clipped the top of a 30 ft tree. Unable to continue flight, settled into wheat field on the opposite side of hedgerow and touched down in landing attitude. Left main gear collapsed and aircraft flipped inverted." In a follow-up interview, the pilot reported that he used the full length of runway 23, a turf runway that was 2,300 feet long, and 100 feet wide, for departure. The wind was variable, from the west at 5 to 6 knots. Trees bordered both ends of the runway. After becoming airborne, he felt a "burble", which he had felt on previous flights, as he approached a row of trees, and this time the airplane was unable to clear the trees at the departure end of the runway. When asked what the airplane's normal liftoff airspeed was, and what airspeed he had used during the initial climb, the pilot reported that he had not observed his airspeed and was unaware of the airplane's airspeed at liftoff or initial climb. The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 1,200 pounds of liquid chemicals, intended to be sprayed, and that he had flown similar loads from that runway with no problems. The airplane was equipped with an emergency dump for the chemicals, which the pilot elected not to use. The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 4,500 pounds. When asked about the engine, the pilot reported that it had been overhauled about 10 hours prior to the accident, and was working "satisfactorily" at the time of the accident. When asked about the stall characteristics of the airplane, the pilot reported that the airplane would mush before it would stall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10291](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10291-2018-01-09), registration cancelled 2018-01-09, S/N 91, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 91 - Airframe hours: 9802 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Joseph C. Shoemaker Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 2003, 11 hours before - Departed: JY17, Shiloh, NJ - Destination: JY17, Shiloh, NJ - Airport: JY17, Woodcrest Farms Airstrip, runway 23, 2,303 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 15, 2002; seat: center; flight hours: 9,350 total, 7,800 in this make and model, 9,350 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: MIV, 11 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 20030606017409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030606017409A), Jun 6, 2003: Scwzer G164, Shiloh, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed hwy 23, all engine indications normal, followed by a right climbing turn. During the climbing turn the pilot stated that he noticed a… ## Other investigations on N10291 (1) 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 FTW71DRD24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DRD24), Oct 30, 1970: Grumman G-164 (N10291), Welsh, LA, destroyed 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.