# NTSB SEA06CA145: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N8376K, Lamont, WA, July 23, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 23, 2006, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Lamont, WA
- Coordinates: 47.2, -117.900001
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2000&lon=-117.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA145

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot of the agricultural airplane reported that he was spraying a field adjacent to a set of hills, which required him to maneuver over the hills.  While turning, he "misjudged the height of the hills at one point."  He did not maintain terrain clearance, and the airplane impacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

On July 23, 2006, about 0745 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N8376K, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while maneuvering near Lamont, Washington.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries.  The airplane was registered to and operated by Moore Aircraft Company of Ritzville, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 CFR Part 137 local agricultural application flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Pru Field Airport in Ritzville about 0715.

The pilot reported that he was spraying a field adjacent to a set of hills, which required him to maneuver over the hills.  While turning, he "misjudged the height of the hills at one point."  He did not maintain terrain clearance, and the airplane impacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8376K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8376K-2024-04-01), registration cancelled 2024-04-01, S/N 675B, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer 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)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 675B
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Moore Aircraft Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 33S, Ritzville, WA
- Destination: 33S

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 12,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060723014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060723014049A), Jul 23, 2006: Scwzer G164B, Lamont, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman was conducting turnaround maneuver after a swath run in aerial application operations when he failed to clear rising terrain (wheat field--at…

## Other investigations on N8376K (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 CEN21LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA237), May 27, 2021: Grumman G164 (N8376K), Celina, OH, substantial damage. Probable cause: A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB WPR11CA261](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA261), Jun 15, 2011: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B (N8376K), Pullman, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering.

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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