# NTSB WPR25LA158: Schweizer G-164B, N7503L, Butte City, CA, May 9, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 9, 2025, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Butte City, CA
- Coordinates: 39.472894, -121.99058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4729&lon=-121.9906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- 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): 200178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/200178/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200178
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA158

## Probable cause

The pilot’s use of engine beta prior to ensuring the tailwheel was on the ground during landing roll.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that the approach to land was fast. During landing rollout, he used engine beta to slow the airplane while the tail of the airplane was not on the ground. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to both the top wings, empennage, and engine mounts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7503L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7503L), registered now, S/N 826B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 826B
- Year built: 1990
- Airframe hours: 11005
- Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 750 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Cw Equipment Rentals Inc, doing business as Williams Ag Service, LTD
- Registered owner: Cw Equipment Rentals Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2025, 17 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: NA, Private, runway UNK, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,800 total, 697 in this make and model, 2,700 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 60 nm away
- METAR: 8:53 AM	70 °F	50 °F	49 %	N	3 mph	0 mph	30.04 in	0.0 in	Fair

## 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 20250509017149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250509017149A), May 9, 2025: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, Butte City, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported at approximatley 0830 hrs on may 9, 2025, that while landing for a reload the approach seemed a little fast, and on touchdown rollout he…

## Other investigations on N7503L (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 WPR11LA320](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA320), Jul 9, 2011: Schweizer G-164B (N7503L), Yuba City, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: High-cycle fatigue on the 1st-stage compressor blade retaining ring, which resulted in the ring’s fracture and a subsequent loss of engine power.
- [NTSB SEA93LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA078), Mar 18, 1993: Schweizer G-164B-600 (N7503L), Quincy, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY HAD SEPARATED. FACTORS INCLUDE A SNOWBANK.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=200178. 4.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18838763&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18838783&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.

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