# NTSB SEA05LA146: Grumman G-164A, N6702Q, Jerome, ID, July 19, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 2005, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Jerome, ID - Coordinates: 42.726665, -114.457221 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7267&lon=-114.4572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62007 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62007/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA146 ## Probable cause Failure to maintain clearance from terrain during takeoff and initial climb. A high density altitude was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, while in the initial climb, the airplane developed a high sink rate. The pilot stated he increased power and jettisoned the load, however, the airplane continued to sink eventually impacting terrain, in a level flight attitude, approximately 1.5 miles north of the airport. The pilot stated he departed the runway with a "slight quartering tailwind." The operator reported that the airplane was loaded with approximately 2,000 pounds of dry fertilizer and approximately 55 gallons of Jet A. The field elevation at the departure airport is 4,048 feet above mean sea level (msl). The estimated density altitude (DA) was approximately 5,584 feet. The operator reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 2005, about 0630 mountain daylight time, a restricted category, turbine equipped, Grumman G164A (Ag Cat), N6702Q, sustained substantial damage after colliding with terrain shortly after takeoff from the Jerome Municipal Airport, Jerome, Idaho. The airplane is registered to Red Baron Ag Service, Inc, of Kimberly, Idaho, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local aerial application flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the single seat airplane, was not injured. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (IIC) on July 19, the pilot stated he departed runway 26 with a "slight" quartering tailwind. He reported that shortly after turning to the northeast, and clearing a series of power lines, the airplane developed a high sink rate. The pilot stated he increased power and jettisoned the load, however, the airplane continued to sink eventually impacting terrain, in a level flight attitude, approximately 1.5 miles north of the airport. According to the operator, the airplane was loaded with approximately 2,000 pounds of dry fertilizer and approximately 55 gallons of Jet A. The field elevation at Jerome is 4,048 feet above mean sea level (msl). The estimated density altitude (DA) was approximately 5,584 feet. The 0653 hourly METAR observation at Jerome was, in part, winds from 080 degrees (true) at 11 knots; visibility 10 SM miles; temperature, 20 degrees C; dew point 2 degrees C; barometric pressure 29.93. The operator reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6702Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6702Q-2008-12-08), registration cancelled 2008-12-08, S/N 1707, built 1977 (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: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01517, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1707 - Airframe hours: 6529 - Engines: Garrett TPE-331 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Red Baron Ag Service, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2005 - Departed: U73, JEROME, ID - Destination: U73 - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: U73, Jerome County, runway 26, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 5,750 total, 106 in this make and model, 5,541 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 59 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KJER, 1 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 20050719016969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050719016969A), Jul 19, 2005: Scwzer G164A, Jerome, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) On aerial application flight, the pilot departed Jerome County Airport (U73), Jerome, Idaho, from (RWY26) in a turbine powered Grumman aircraft, model… ## Other investigations on N6702Q (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 SEA08CA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA183), Aug 18, 2008: Grumman Acft Eng G-164A (N6702Q), Hazelton, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the tailwind and failure to attain and maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. The tailwind was a contributing factor. - [NTSB SEA91LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA191), Jul 24, 1991: Grumman G-164A (N6702Q), Hamer, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGMENT. FACTORS INCLUDE HIGH VEGETATION, AND AN INADVERENT GROUND LOOP/SWERVE. 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.