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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 25, 2002 · Grumman G-164 · N5296

Central City, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 25, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Central City, NE
Aircraft
Grumman G-164
Tail Number
N5296
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI02LA212

The airplane collided with trees after encountering a downdraft. The pilot reported that he had just finished an aerial application flight, departed the field, and was climbing to return to the airport when the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot stated the airplane was at an altitude of 250 feet to 300 feet at the time. The pilot reported that the ceiling had decreased to approximately 800 feet during the flight. He reported, "I hit severe turbulence and a severe downdraft." He stated he added full power, but the airplane descended to an altitude of approximately 50 feet where the right wing struck cottonwood trees. The airplane then stalled and descended into a bean field. The pilot reported the fuel tank ruptured during the impact and a post crash fire ensued. The pilot reported on an NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "If I had left the field sooner instead of finishing my load I may have avoided the whole incident." Weather radar images and local observations show that thunderstorms were moving into the area at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot was not able to maintain clearance with the trees when the airplane encountered a downdraft at a low altitude. An additional cause was the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the approaching weather conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the downdraft and the trees which were contacted.

Full Narrative

On July 24, 2002, at 2000 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N5296, collided with trees and the terrain following a loss of control in Central City, Nebraska. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post impact fire. The Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Central City Municipal Airport, Central City, Nebraska, at 1930. The pilot reported that he had just finished an aerial application flight, departed the field, and was climbing to return to the airport when the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot stated the airplane was at an altitude of 250 feet to 300 feet at the time. The pilot reported that the ceiling had decreased to approximately 800 feet. He reported, "I hit severe turbulence and a severe downdraft." He stated he added full power, but the airplane descended to an altitude of approximately 50 feet where the right wing struck cottonwood trees. The airplane then stalled and descended into a bean field. The pilot reported the fuel tank ruptured during the impact and a post crash fire ensued. Weather radar images and local obdervations show that thunderstorms were moving into the area at the time of the accident. The pilot reported on an NTSB Form 6120.1/2, "If I had left the field sooner instead of finishing my load I may have avoided the whole incident."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164
Tail NumberN5296
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney · R985-AN-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data