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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 21, 2000 · Schweizer G-164B · N3626T

Corcoran, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Corcoran, CA
Aircraft
Schweizer G-164B
Tail Number
N3626T
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX00LA344

The airplane veered into a cotton field during takeoff from a dirt canal bank. During refueling, Jet A fuel was spilled on the windshield. The pilot cleaned the windshield and attempted a takeoff. Residual fuel started collecting on the windshield and he aborted the takeoff. He cleaned the windshield more thoroughly and attempted a second takeoff. As the airplane reached flying speed, fluid once again collected on the windshield and obscured his vision. He was departing to the east into the rising sun and lost his forward visual reference. He said there was not sufficient runway remaining to reject the takeoff, therefore he continued. The airplane gained less than 5 feet of altitude and drifted about 20 degrees left. The airplane collided with cotton plants about 2 feet tall, and continued about 300 feet through the field before coming to rest. The right main gear and spray boom separated, and the upper wing partially separated.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Factors were the pilot's failure to ensure that the fuel tank cover was replaced properly, fuel contamination of the windscreen, and the sun angle that obscured the pilot's vision.

Full Narrative

On September 21, 2000, about 0830 Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3626T, veered into a cotton field during takeoff from a dirt canal bank near Corcoran, California. Vince Crop Dusters was operating the airplane as an aerial application flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accident coordinator interviewed the pilot. The pilot said that during refueling, some Jet A fuel was spilled on the windshield. He cleaned the windshield and attempted a takeoff. Residual fuel started collecting on the windshield and he aborted the takeoff. He cleaned the windshield more thoroughly and attempted a second takeoff. The pilot said that as the airplane reached flying speed, fluid once again collected on the windshield and obscured his vision. He was departing to the east into the rising sun and lost his forward visual reference. He said there was not sufficient runway remaining to abort; therefore, he continued the takeoff. The airplane gained less than 5 feet of altitude and drifted about 20 degrees left. The airplane collided with cotton plants about 2 feet tall, and continued about 300 feet through the field before coming to rest. The right main gear and spray boom separated, and the upper wing partially separated. The accident coordinator determined that operations had been under way from this location for approximately 2 hours prior to the accident. The coordinator observed a substance on the windshield. He said the fuel tanks and spray hopper appeared to be ruptured. He interviewed first responders who reported the fuel cap was secure in place when they arrived, but they observed very little fuel in the tank.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSchweizer G-164B
Tail NumberN3626T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-27 · Turboprop · 600
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
Wind260° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data