# NTSB WPR17LA100: Grumman G164, N8712H, Madera, CA, May 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 7, 2017, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Madera, CA - Coordinates: 36.986389, -120.112503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9864&lon=-120.1125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR17LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95125/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95125 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA100 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and separation of the right landing gear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that the tailwheel-equipped airplane veered to the left during takeoff on the fourth flight of the day. He applied full right brake and rudder to correct; however, the airplane veered off the runway and the right main landing gear separated from the airframe. The pilot stated that the wind conditions at the time of the accident included a 7 to 10 mph left quartering tailwind with occasional gusts to 12 to 14 mph. A postaccident examination of the right brake revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane incorporated a free-swivel, non-lockable tailwheel assembly; directional control on the ground was accomplished by application of differential braking until adequate airspeed was attained for the rudder to become effective. It is likely that, due to the quartering tailwind, the airplane had not yet attained an adequate airspeed for rudder effectiveness and that the pilot's braking action was insufficient to overcome the left yaw. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2017, about 1135 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G164A, N8712H, was destroyed by post-impact fire at Madera Municipal Airport (MAE), Madera, California. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Todds Aerial Spraying, LLC. under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had made three aerial application flights that morning without incident. During his fourth takeoff roll on runway 30, the airplane started to veer to the left. He applied full right brake and rudder control to correct the movement to the left; however, despite his control inputs, the airplane exited the left side of the runway. The pilot stated that the throttle remained at full power as he tried to liftoff from the grassy area adjacent to the runway. Subsequently, the right main landing gear separated which resulted in the propeller and right wing striking the ground. The airplane nosed over and a post-crash fire ensued. The pilot stated that, at the time of the accident, the wind was about 7-10 miles per hour (mph) from the southeast, with occasional gusts to 12-14 mph. He also reported that the airplane had about 200 gallons of chemicals and 35 gallons of fuel on board. The airplane's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts design incorporated a free swivel, non-lockable tailwheel assembly. Such assembly allows directional control on the ground by applying differential braking, until adequate airspeed is attained for the rudder to become effective for directional control. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector examined the right brake and did not find any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. He concluded that the normal brake effectiveness was available, and the right brake was fully applied; however, that was not adequate to overcome the left yaw. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8712H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8712H-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 1486, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164 (A) - 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1486 - Year built: 1975 - Engines: Pratt&Whitney R-1340-S1H1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Streeter Racing - Registered owner: Streeter Racing - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2016 - Departed: MAE, Madera, CA - Destination: MAE, Madera, CA - Airport: MAE, Madera Muni, runway 30, 5,545 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 30,000 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KMAE ## 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 20170507004169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170507004169A), May 7, 2017: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Madera, CA, Destroyed. Pilot stated that he had made aproximately 3 aerial application flights in this aircraft from the same runway just prior to the accident takeoff attempt. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N8712H (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 SEA78DYA12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYA12), Jun 19, 1978: Grumman G-164A (N8712H), Terreton, ID, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95125. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 628 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465781&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Streeter Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465782&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Streeter%20Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Statement (item 3, .PDF, 299 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photo (item 4, .PDF, 180 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465784&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.