# NTSB WPR24LA186: Grumman/Schweizer G-164D, N6736K, Richvale, CA, June 8, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 7, 2024, 17:00 local (Jun 8, 2024, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Richvale, CA - Coordinates: 39.501886, -121.77114 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5019&lon=-121.7711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 194431 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194431/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194431 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA186 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to take off with a tailwind and their failure to maintain clearance from terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman/Schweizer G-164D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3952804), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Grumman/Schweizer G-164D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952804), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman/Schweizer G-164D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=3952804), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after the airplane was loaded with 2,400 – 2,500 lbs of rice seed, he exited the loading area and initiated takeoff on a 2,200-foot long runway. During takeoff roll, about mid-field, the tail lifted up as he expected, and engine instruments showed expected performance. However, acceleration seemed diminished, and he increased power “to the stops.” Subsequently, the airplane struck an embankment at the end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and bottom left wing leading edge. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing runway 34, and wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6736K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6736K-2025-06-23), registration cancelled 2025-06-23, S/N 31C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN/SCHWEIZER G-164D - Registry model: [Grumman/Schweizer G-164D](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-schweizer-g-164d) (registry code 3952804) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31C - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 9568.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-34AG 750 hp turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Avag Inc - Registered owner: Avag Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 2024 - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 07CL, Richvale Airport, runway 34, 2,200 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 11, 2023; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 14,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 13,400 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: OVE, 7 nm away ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 6, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194431. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17454861&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Ink%20Signed%206120.1%20-N6736K%20-%20Michaud%20-%20AvAg%20II_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17303737&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos_for_docket-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.