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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 9, 1994 · Grumman G-164B · N3629P

Dateland, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 9, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Dateland, AZ
Aircraft
Grumman G-164B
Tail Number
N3629P
Operator
Pierce Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX94LA255

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHTS AT NIGHT FROM A DIRT AIRSTRIP. AFTER TAKEOFF WITH THE FOURTH LOAD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK POWER LINES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP. THE AIRPLANE LANDED IN A DESERT AREA AND WAS CONSUMED BY A POSTIMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT A LAYER OF DUST FROM PREVIOUS OPERATIONS INTO AND OUT OF THE AIRSTRIP OBSCURED THE POWER LINES.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT FOR OBSTACLES. NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS AND THE DUST WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

On June 8, 1994, about 2130 hours mountain standard time, a Grumman G-164B, N3629P, crashed during takeoff at a private dirt airstrip, about 8 miles north of Dateland, Arizona. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) aerial application flight under Title 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Pierce Aviation, Buckeye, Arizona, was destroyed by impact and postimpact fire. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The operator reported that the pilot was applying a liquid pesticide "Orthene" on fields adjacent to a 2,700-foot dirt airstrip. On the fourth departure, the pilot began a takeoff to the east and after lift-off struck power lines located at the end of the runway. The airplane then landed in a desert area and caught fire. The pilot indicated that a layer of dust from operations into and out of the dirt airstrip had obscured the power lines. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) operations inspector, Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that the pilot notified the FAA of the accident on June 15, 1994. The pilot was sent a Pilot/Operator Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, by National Transportation Safety Board investigators. The report was returned with minimal information and was unsigned.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:30 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164B
Tail NumberN3629P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPierce Aviation
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-34AG · Turboprop · 750
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data