Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164A near Davis, CA — 2023-08-06

Final reportWPR23LA305
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Date
2023-08-06
Location
Davis, CA, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164A
Registration
N5450
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

An inflight loss of control during a low altitude operation for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying an aerial application flight over a tomato field from west to east when the airplane impacted a field and was consumed by a postimpact fire. There were no witnesses to the accident. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial impact and thermal damage to the airframe and its corresponding systems. Impact signatures on the propeller revealed leading edge gouges, chordwise scratches on the face side of one propeller blade, and aft bending on both propeller blades in the opposite direction of rotation, which is consistent with some rotation at the time of impact. The propeller exhibited some indication of power at the time of impact; however, the impact and thermal damage prevented a determination to what extent the engine was operating at the time of the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen a safer altitude or approach to avoid soft field landing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

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