Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN AIRCRAFT COR-SCHWEIZER G-164A near Elmira, MI — 2013-07-17

Final reportCEN13LA422
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Date
2013-07-17
Location
Elmira, MI, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN AIRCRAFT COR-SCHWEIZER G-164A
Registration
N8719H
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a line of trees while applying agricultural product to a field.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was applying agricultural product on a field, flying toward a line of trees that were about 60 feet in height. The airplane had been loaded with about 200 gallons of chemical, of which about 100 gallons had already been sprayed. Upon completion of the spray run, the airplane impacted the tree line. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided flying towards the tree line during the spray operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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