# NTSB WPR11CA198: Grumman G-164, N716Y, Princeton, CA, May 4, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 4, 2011, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Princeton, CA - Coordinates: 39.403331, -122.046669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4033&lon=-122.0467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78867/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78867 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA198 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman G-164, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952702), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he took off into a 15-mph headwind from a dirt strip with an 1,800-pound load of fertilizer. When the airplane was about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, he started turning into the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The airplane began to descend as he turned and he could not maintain altitude. He had insufficient altitude to release the full load before the airplane collided with the terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he took off into a 15-mph head wind from a dirt strip with a 1,800 pound load of fertilizer. He climbed the airplane to around 100 to 150 feet above ground level (agl) and started the downwind turn. The airplane began to descend as he turned downwind and he could not maintain altitude. He had insufficient altitude to release all the load before the airplane collided with the terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N716Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N716Y-2023-04-25), registration cancelled 2023-04-25, S/N 278, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 278 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Jones Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Chuck Jones Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Princeton, CA - Destination: Princeton, CA - Airport: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review January 10, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 807 total, 83 in this make and model, 134 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KMVY, 37 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 20110504008959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110504008959A), May 4, 2011: Grumman G-164, Princeton, CA, Substantial damage. During aerial application (137) operations from a dirt runway parallel to norman road. West of Princeton CA. The commercial rated pilot stated he lost lift… ## Other investigations on N716Y (4) 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 OAK71FVG65](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVG65), Apr 15, 1971: Grumman G-164 (N716Y), Biggs, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK66D0225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK66D0225), Apr 5, 1966: Grumman G-164 (N716Y), Chico, CA, destroyed - [NTSB UNK64X3213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3213), Aug 4, 1964: Grumman G164 (N716Y), Alpaugh, CA, destroyed - [NTSB UNK64X2143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2143), Jun 6, 1964: Grunnan G164 (N716Y), Alpaugh, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 8, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78867. 600 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348915&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation with the Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348916&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20the%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Airplane damage to the tail (item 3, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Airplane%20damage%20to%20the%20tail-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Airplane damge to the wings (item 4, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20damge%20to%20the%20wings-Master.PDF 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.