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NTSB Report

June 26, 1998 · Grumman-Schweizer 164B · N48532

Hatton, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 26, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Hatton, ND
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer 164B
Tail Number
N48532
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA222

The airplane was on takeoff roll approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway, and just at flying airspeed when it 'hit a soft spot that slowed the airplane.' The pilot attempted to dump his load of chemical, but the dump valve would not open. At the departure end of the runway, the pilot tried to lift the airplane into the air so as to clear a road. The airplane's main landing gear struck the road shoulder causing the airplane to skip over the road. The airplane impacted into the field and flipped over onto its top, approximately 50 feet south of the road. Examination of the wreckage determined that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was approximately 6,654 pounds. Weight and Balance Data taken from the G-164B Pilot's Operating Handbook indicates that the maximum gross weight for the G-164B with the R-1340 engine is 5,200 pounds. Civil Aeronautics Manual (CAM) 8, paragraph 8.10-4 (b) 'Maximum Weight' states that establishing a maximum weight for an agricultural aircraft is not required.

NTSB Probable Cause

the delayed abort by the pilot, the overweight condition of the airplane, and the pilot's inadequate preparation prior to takeoff. Factors contributing to this accident were the wet condition of the airstrip, the hopper dump valve not working, and the road shoulder.

Full Narrative

On June 26, 1998, at 1415 central daylight time (cdt), a Grumman- Schweizer 164B, N48532, operated by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when on takeoff roll, the airplane went off the end of the runway, struck a road shoulder, skipped over the road, and nosed over in a field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial application flight was being conducted under 14 CFR part 137. There was no flight plan on file. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating from a private airstrip at Hatton, North Dakota. In his written statement, the pilot said that the airplane was on takeoff roll approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway, and just at flying airspeed when the airplane "hit a soft spot that slowed the airplane." The pilot attempted to dump his load of chemical, but the dump valve would not open. At the departure end of the runway, the pilot tried to lift the airplane into the air so as to clear a road. The airplane's main landing gear struck the road shoulder causing the airplane to skip over the road. The airplane impacted into the field and flipped over onto its top, approximately 50 feet south of the road. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site. The airplane's engine was broken off at the engine mounts and firewall. Both propeller blades were bent aft and twisted. The cowling and forward fuselage were crushed downward and aft. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent left, forward and crushed inward. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The dump valve on the chemical hopper could not be opened. No anomalies were found with the engine, engine controls or other airplane systems. The FAA inspector determined that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was approximately 6,654 pounds. Weight and Balance Data taken from the G-164B Pilot's Operating Handbook indicates that the maximum gross weight for the G-164B with the R-1340 engine is 5,200 pounds. Civil Aeronautics Manual (CAM) 8, paragraph 8.10-4 (b) "Maximum Weight" states that establishing a maximum weight for an agricultural aircraft is not required. "In lieu thereof, maximum weights for the special purpose loads (e.g. hopper or tank capacities) should be selected by the applicant and demonstrated in a flight check."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportHatton Airport (1nm S)
Runway18
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer 164B
Tail NumberN48532
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-1340 · Reciprocating · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data