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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 8, 2017 · Grumman G-164C · N171BW

Beech Grove, AR

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 2017
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Beech Grove, AR
Aircraft
Grumman G-164C (2009)
Tail Number
N171BW
Operator
Kinco Ag
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN17LA177

The commercial pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll, the right main tire "went flat and possibly blew." The airplane veered right and went off the side of the runway, where it impacted a ditch, bounced, turned sideways, and slid to a stop. The pilot saw fuel running out of the engine compartment and the airplane caught fire. The airplane continued to burn, and the engine compartment, cockpit, fuselage, empennage, and left wing were largely consumed by fire. The photographs taken of the wreckage at the accident site revealed that the airplane, including the main landing gear wheels, brakes, and tires, were largely consumed by fire, and fire damage precluded examination or testing of the wheels, brakes, and tires.

NTSB Probable Cause

A tire failure for reasons that could not be determined, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On May 8, 2017, about 1130 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164C airplane, was destroyed by ground fire after it veered off a private airstrip during takeoff near Beech Grove, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned by HDS, Inc., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of flight, which was not on a flight plan. The airplane was departing the private airstrip for a local flight when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that while on takeoff roll about halfway down the runway, the right main tire "went flat and possibly blew." The airplane suddenly veered right, and it went off the side of the runway. It hit a field ditch, bounced, turned sideways, and slid to a stop. The pilot saw fuel running out of the engine compartment and it caught fire. The pilot exited the airplane without injury. The airplane continued to burn, and the engine compartment, cockpit, fuselage, empennage, and left wing were largely consumed by fire. The photographs taken of the wreckage at the accident site revealed that the airplane, including the main landing gear wheels, brakes, and tires, were largely consumed by fire. The wheels, brakes, and tires were not tested due to fire damage. At 1000, the surface weather observation at the Walnut Ridge Regional Airport (ARG) located 10 miles east of the accident site was: wind 220° at 6 knots; 10 miles visibility; sky clear; temperature 24° C; dew point 14° C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway35
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman G-164C
Tail NumberN171BW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKinco Ag
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsHoneywell · TPE-10-511M · Turboprop · 665
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.10 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data