Pilot Debrief

Grumman-Schweizer G-164B near Colfax, WA — 2008-03-22

Final reportLAX08CA082
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Date
2008-03-22
Location
Colfax, WA, USA
Airport
S94
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
Registration
N63D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall mush, and, the subsequent failure to maintain terrain and obstacle clearance during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing factors were the tailwind weather condition, and the one-way direction requirements of the airstrip.

NTSB narrative

The pilot said that he was departing for an aerial application flight on runway 25 with a 12- to 15-knot tailwind. He had 1,400 pounds of dry fertilizer in the hopper. Takeoff from this airport must be in one direction due to climbing terrain and runway slope. He started a right turn down a valley when he felt a loss of lift. He started to dump his applicant, but the weight transfer was too slow. The airplane descended into power lines and impacted the ground. It continued through a fence and impacted a light pole.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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