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NTSB Report
March 27, 1987 · Grumman G-164 · N654Y
Shelbyville, TN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 27, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Shelbyville, TN
Aircraft
Grumman G-164
Tail Number
N654Y
Operator
Williams Aerial Contractors
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87LA099
THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED FROM A DIRT ROAD THAT WAS REPORTEDLY ONLY SLIGHTLY WIDER THAN THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A SPRAYING OPERATION AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT OUT SOME FERTILIZER. HE STATED THAT HE INSTALLED THE SPREADER, BUT LEFT THE SPRAY BOOMS AND PUMP ON THE ACFT SINCE HE ONLY HAD 3 LOADS TO PUT OUT. THE SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF ROLL WAS EXTENDED AND THE RT SPRAY BOOM STRUCK A DIRT BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PLT RAISED THE RT WING AND BEGAN TO DUMP THE ACFT'S LOAD OF FERTILIZER. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK SOME BUSHES. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE LT WING STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN INVERTED, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT LATER REPORTED TO THE FAA THAT THE ACFT WAS 'JUST TOO HEAVY'.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT WAS BEING OPERATED FROM A DIRT ROAD THAT WAS REPORTEDLY ONLY SLIGHTLY WIDER THAN THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST COMPLETED A SPRAYING OPERATION AND WAS ABOUT TO PUT OUT SOME FERTILIZER. HE STATED THAT HE INSTALLED THE SPREADER, BUT LEFT THE SPRAY BOOMS AND PUMP ON THE ACFT SINCE HE ONLY HAD 3 LOADS TO PUT OUT. THE SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF ROLL WAS EXTENDED AND THE RT SPRAY BOOM STRUCK A DIRT BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PLT RAISED THE RT WING AND BEGAN TO DUMP THE ACFT'S LOAD OF FERTILIZER. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK SOME BUSHES. DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE LT WING STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, IMPACTED THE TERRAIN INVERTED, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT LATER REPORTED TO THE FAA THAT THE ACFT WAS 'JUST TOO HEAVY'.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:00 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftGrumman G-164
Tail NumberN654Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliams Aerial Contractors
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 44 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90°
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO