# NTSB WPR24LA151: Grumman G164, N6612Q, Maxwell, CA, May 12, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 12, 2024, 12:12 local (19:12 UTC) - Place: Maxwell, CA - Coordinates: 39.443273, -122.25859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4433&lon=-122.2586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194263/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194263 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA151 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ascertain a proper touchdown point and late decision to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a subsequent collision with vegetation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he landed long on a dirt runway and realized he was running out of runway. He decided to abort the landing and applied full power as it was too late to stop the airplane. It did not accelerate as he expected due to the soft dirt. The pilot added that the airplane did not have enough airspeed to fly and while in ground effect, it struck a tree limb and cartwheeled. A post-impact fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed. The pilot stated that there were no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6612Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6612Q), registered now, S/N 163B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164 - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 163B - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-1340-ANI 600 hp reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Alaska Air Service LLC - Registered owner: Alaska Air Service LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Hamilton City, CA - Destination: Willows, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2024; seat: single; flight hours: 14,292 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KOVE, 27 nm away - METAR: KOVE 121853Z AUTO 24004KT 10SM CLR 28/12 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP132 T02830122 $ ## 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 20240512005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240512005119A), May 12, 2024: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, Willows, CA, Destroyed. The pilot stated that he is in the burn unit at uc davis medical center. He doesn't know when he will be released. He stated that he departed at an unknown… ## Other investigations on N6612Q (2) 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 SEA94LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA072), Mar 2, 1994: Grumman G-164 (N6612Q), Walla Walla, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING AFTER A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A FAILED ENGINE CYLINDER. FACTORS INCLUDE A PARTIAL MAGNETO FAILURE. - [NTSB LAX78DUJ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DUJ28), Feb 12, 1978: Grumman G-164B (N6612Q), Coolidge, AZ, destroyed ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194263. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot email statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17281654&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Email%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17394153&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17870452&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Pilot%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 894 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17281412&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.