# NTSB SEA04LA093: Grumman G-164, N657Y, Rexburg, ID, June 1, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 2004, 08:34 local (14:34 UTC) - Place: Rexburg, ID - Coordinates: 43.785556, -111.742225 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7856&lon=-111.7422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59332 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA04LA093 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59332/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA093 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while maneuvering during an aerial application flight. Contributing factors were the pilot's diverted attention and the irrigation pivot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - other (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis After finishing his load and looking back to see where he had left off in the field, the pilot saw an irrigation pivot, which he subsequently impacted with the airplane's left wing. After both left wing panels collapsed the aircraft impacted the ground, coming to rest in an upright position. The pilot did not remember any further details of the accident, other than climbing out of the airplane. The pilot said he just made a mistake by misjudging the distance with the irrigation pivot. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 2004, at 0834 mountain daylight time, a Grumman G-164 agricultural airplane, N657Y, sustained substantial damage after impacting an object while maneuvering near Rexburg, Idaho. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The airplane departed the Rexburg-Madison airport, Rexburg, Idaho, at 0815. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that after spraying off the load, "I looked over to check where I left off [and] slowly pulled back on the stick to go back for another load and saw the pivot just before impact." The pilot stated that after impacting the pivot both of the airplane's left wing panels collapsed and the airplane impacted the ground. The pilot further stated that although he did remember climbing out of the airplane, he didn't remember any further details of the accident. The pilot reported, "...[I] just misjudged my obstacles. I made a mistake." A post accident examination of the aircraft by the pilot revealed that the left wing panels sustained substantial damage, both main landing gear were separated from the airplane, and both propeller blades were bent. The airplane came to rest in an upright position and there was no post accident fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N657Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N657Y-2006-06-05), registration cancelled 2006-06-05, S/N 265, built 1963 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 265 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Charles R. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: RXE, Rexburg, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 29, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 1,813 total, 295 in this make and model, 1,730 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 67 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 195° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 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 20040601011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040601011279A), Jun 1, 2004: Scwzer G164, Rexburg, ID, Destroyed. (-23) While spraying the pilot executed a low level turn and collided with sprinklers. ## Other investigations on N657Y (3) 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 OAK67D0316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0316), May 24, 1967: Grumman G-164 (N657Y), Live Oak, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X2604](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2604), Jul 2, 1964: Grumman G164 (N657Y), Firebaugh, CA, destroyed - [NTSB UNK64X2205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2205), Jun 9, 1964: Grumman G164 (N657Y), Bakersfield, CA, 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. --- 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.