# NTSB SEA94LA127: Grumman G-164B, N50WS, Princeton, ID, May 21, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1994, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Princeton, ID
- Coordinates: 46.90002, -116.809555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9000&lon=-116.8096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41930
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41930/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA127

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT RETARDING OF THROTTLE BY PILOT.  FACTORS INCLUDE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - throttle/power control - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING APPLICATION RUNS WHEN HE REACHED FOR THE SPRAY TANK HAND VALVE.  HIS SHIRT SLEEVE CAUGHT ON THE THROTTLE AND PULLED IT TO THE IDLE POSITION.  HE TRIED TO PUSH THE THROTTLE TO FULL AND RECOVER, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT REGAIN POWER IN TIME AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED SOME TREES. HE ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON THE SPRAY AGENT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BEFORE THE IMPACT.

## Factual narrative

On May 21, 1994, approximately 1630 Pacific daylight time, N50WS, a Grumman G-164B AgCat, was destroyed when it collided with trees while conducting aerial application activities about three miles south of Princeton, Idaho.  The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries and was doused with Parathion.  There was no flight plan for the flight, which originated at Pullman, Washington about 1558.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no ELT was installed in the aircraft.

The pilot stated that he had made twelve previous rounds bordering the field.  During a pull-up maneuver, after reaching for the flow shutoff valve, his sleeve caught the throttle and pulled it to idle.  He attempted to recover power by opening the throttle, but the engine coughed and he was unable to regain power before impacting the trees.  He also attempted to jettison the spray agent at the last minute, but was unsuccessful.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50WS-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 140B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-g-164b) (registry code 3960203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 140B
- Airframe hours: 5500
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Fly-It-On, Inc.
- Registered owner: John Gomez
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1994, 51 hours before
- Departed: PUW, PULLMAN, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 785 total, 90 in this make and model, 715 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °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 19940521036099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940521036099A), May 21, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Princeton, ID, Destroyed. On spray pullup while reaching for flow shut off sleeve caught closed throttle. Impacted trees.

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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