# NTSB SEA94LA117: Schweizer G-164B, N8214S, Yuba City, CA, May 12, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 12, 1994, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Yuba City, CA - Location: 39.1298° N, 121.6415° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yuba City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1298&lon=-121.6415&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 December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41923 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41923/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA117 ## Probable cause AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AFTER TAKEOFF. THE OVER-WEIGHT LOADING OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND SETTLED TO THE GROUND SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM AN AGRICULTURAL AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 87 DEGREES F, AND THAT HE HAD 2800 POUNDS OF HERBICIDE ON BOARD. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY. ACCORDING TO FAA DOCUMENTATION, MAXIMUM HOPPER CAPACITY ON THIS AIRCRAFT IS 2000 POUNDS. ## Factual narrative On May 12, 1994, at approximately 1500 Pacific daylight time, N8214S, a Schweizer G-164B, sustained substantial damage, when during the initial climb after takeoff from a private farm airstrip near Yuba City, CA, the aircraft stalled and settled back to the ground approximately 400 yards from the runway end. The pilot was uninjured. There was no flight plan filed for the local agricultural application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot stated the engine was running fine during the sequence. Wind conditions were described to be light and variable with no turbulence or gusts during a telephone interview. When he submitted his accident report, he indicated that winds were 5 knots from the south. The pilot reported that he had no idea of his actual gross takeoff weight, and stated that he was loaded with 2,800 pounds of the herbicide LONDAX. According to FAA documentation, maximum hopper capacity of this aircraft is 2000 pounds. The pilot made no turns after takeoff. The pilot had made 39 previous flights in the day but this was the first out of this particular airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8214S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8214S), registered now, S/N 787B, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7878 - Engines: P&W PT6-20 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. - Registered owner: Sutter Butte Dusters, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2,400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °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 19940512010679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940512010679A), May 12, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Yuba City, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled on climbout from Private strip. Settled to impact. Was 800 lbs over gross weight. ## Other investigations on N8214S (1) 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 WPR13LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA223), May 9, 2013: Schweizer G-164B (N8214S), Biggs, CA, minor damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to adequately monitor the runway environment during taxi, which resulted in an on-ground collision. 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.