# NTSB SEA88LA135: Schweizer G164A, N8974H, Colfax, WA, July 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1988, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Colfax, WA
- Coordinates: 46.850612, -117.440444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8506&lon=-117.4404&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 April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON DEPARTURE WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICAL, AG PLT ATTEMPTED TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN AHEAD. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN IN A STALL/MUSH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8974H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8974H), registered now, S/N 1347, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G164A
- 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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1347
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Darrell L. Fender
- Registered owner: Darrell L Fender
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: S94

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,200 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,170 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PUW, 15 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 19880721027259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880721027259A), Jul 21, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Colfax, WA, Substantial damage. Collided with rising terrain on climbout to commence a spray operation.

## Other investigations on N8974H (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 SEA89LA121](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA121), Jun 24, 1989: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A (N8974H), Colfax, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. THE TERRAIN WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING.
- [NTSB DEN84LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA192), Jun 23, 1984: Grumman G-164A (N8974H), Murdo, SD, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW82DA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA205), Jun 1, 1982: Grumman G-164A (N8974H), Angleton, TX, 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.

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