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June 15, 2018 · Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164B · N6672Q

Arrey, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 2018
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Arrey, NM
Aircraft
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164B (1977)
Tail Number
N6672Q
Operator
Valley Ag Aerial Services
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN18LA226

The commercial pilot reported that he completed four agricultural application loads "just fine." However, after the fourth application, he turned the airplane to conduct a clean-up pass of the field, and subsequently, the airplane impacted the east side of a hill. The pilot stated that he did not remember what happened nor why it happened. Another pilot who had previously sprayed the accident field reported that, when flying east/west in the morning, the east-facing swath was into the sun and toward rapidly rising terrain. At the time of the accident, clear skies and light winds were present, and the sun was in the east. Given this information and that the operator reported that there was no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, the pilot likely failed to maintain clearance from rising terrain while facing the sun during the low-level flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hillside during an agricultural application flight while facing the sun.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 2018, about 1010 mountain daylight time, a Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation-Schweizer G-164B airplane, N6672Q, impacted hilly terrain during an aerial application flight near Arrey, New Mexico. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane received substantial wing and fuselage damage during the impact. The airplane was registered to an individual and operated by Valley Ag Aerial Services as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the accident area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Hatch Municipal Airport, near Hatch, New Mexico, about 0900.The operator reported that the pilot completed 4 aerial application loads "just fine." The pilot turned to do a clean-up pass of the field and crashed into a hillside. The pilot does not remember what happened nor why it happened. The operator reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Another operator in the area had previously sprayed the accident field. He, in part, stated that there is rising terrain that borders the field on the East side. If it were to be sprayed in the morning flying East/West, the East facing swath would be into the sun and rapidly rising terrain. At 1010, the United States Navy Observatory reported the altitude and azimuth of the sun in Hatch, New Mexico, were 49.7° and 91.6° respectively. At 0955, the recorded weather at the Las Cruces International Airport, near Las Cruces, New Mexico, was: Wind 160° at 5 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 31° C; dew point 7° C; altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:10 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164B
Tail NumberN6672Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorValley Ag Aerial Services
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 AN-14B · Reciprocating · 400
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Second Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time15:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data