# NTSB SEA90LA103: Grumman G-164A, N29SK, Tekoa, WA, June 21, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1990, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Tekoa, WA
- Coordinates: 47.240356, -117.109596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2404&lon=-117.1096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA103

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRPLANE AND TALL GRASS ADJACENT TO THE GRAVEL STRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

AT THE END OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS APPROACHING THE PRIVATE DIRT STRIP WITH A CROSSWIND. THE PILOT HAD THE RIGHT WING LOW TO COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSSWIND. WHEN THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN, THE LOW RIGHT WING SPRAY BOOM CAUGHT IN THE TALL GRASS NEXT TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SPUN AROUND AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE FUEL TANKS RUPTURED AND THE FUEL IGNITED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29SK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29SK-2017-08-23), registration cancelled 2017-08-23, S/N 1354, built 1974 (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: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1354
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Faunce, Daniel H.
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Faunce Ag Strip, runway 3, 1,800 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,526 total, 2,305 in this make and model, 11,431 as pilot in command, 176 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900621023889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900621023889A), Jun 21, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Tekoa, WA, Destroyed. Landing wing low for crosswind. Spray boom and wing caught in tall grass on edge of strip. Left runway,hit a ditch.

## Other investigations on N29SK (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 CHI03LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA142), May 29, 2003: Grumman G-164A (N29SK), Seneca, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the collapse of the left main landing gear strut and the ditch.
- [NTSB SEA76DYG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYG42), Apr 9, 1976: Grumman G-164A (N29SK), Nezperce, ID, 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.