# NTSB WPR14CA293: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164B, N48475, Marysville, CA, July 14, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 14, 2014, 08:35 local (15:35 UTC) - Place: Marysville, CA - Coordinates: 39.149181, -121.470878 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1492&lon=-121.4709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 89664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89664/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89664 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately monitor the environmental conditions to assure the aircraft performance would afford an uneventful takeoff with the loading conditions. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's inability to jettison the load due to the dump lever being positioned inappropriately prior to takeoff, and the density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on takeoff roll with the wind calm, he noticed that the airplane had failed to gain enough speed to lift off. He then added throttle and attempted to dump the load, but the dump-stop prevented him from jettisoning the load. The pilot stated that at the very end of the runway the airplane lifted off, followed by the tailwheel impacting a small ridge, which slowed the airplane. The aircraft subsequently cleared a ditch and then started impacting young trees, with large trees directly in front of him. The pilot added that he then pulled the power off and landed in a field of young trees. The upper and lower wing panels were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he made sure that the dump stop was flipped over prior to takeoff, which would have allowed the load to be dumped faster. The pilot also stated that due to the temperature having increased from what it was earlier that morning, he should have reduced his chemical load. The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be about 2,042 feet mean sea level (msl); the elevation of the airstrip was about 90 feet msl. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on takeoff roll with the wind calm, he noticed that the airplane had failed to gain enough speed to lift off. He then added throttle and attempted to dump the load, but the dump-stop prevented him from jettisoning the load. The pilot stated that at the very end of the runway the airplane lifted off, followed by the tailwheel impacting a small ridge, which slowed the airplane. The aircraft subsequently cleared a ditch and then started impacting young trees, with large trees directly in front of him. The pilot added that he then pulled the power off and landed in a field of young trees. The upper and lower wing panels were substantially damaged. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented had he made sure that the dump stop was flipped over prior to takeoff, which would have allowed the load to be dumped faster. The pilot also stated that due to the temperature having increased from what it was earlier that morning, he should have reduced his chemical load. The density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be about 2,042 feet mean sea level (msl); the elevation of the airstrip was about 90 feet msl. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N48475](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48475-2019-05-08), registration cancelled 2019-05-08, S/N 33B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164B (B) - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33B - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 5762 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985-AN 14E 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2014, 120 hours before - Departed: NA, Marysville, CA - Destination: NA, Marysville, CA - Airport: NA, private airstrip, runway NA, 2,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 14, 2013; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,156 total, 418 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 2 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: MYV, 5 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 20140714013999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140714013999A), Jul 14, 2014: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Marysville, CA, Substantial damage. Ag cat aerial application flight attempted takeoff with full load of fertilizer, struck walnut trees and came to rest in walnut orchard. Suspect aircraft was… ## Other investigations on N48475 (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 ATL83LA370](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA370), Sep 14, 1983: Grumman G-164B (N48475), Berry, AL, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89664. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416807&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416808&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416809&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Left Upper Wing Panel (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Upper%20Wing%20Panel%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.