Pilot Debrief

Grumman 164A near Lake Providence, LA — 2008-07-22

Final reportDFW08CA195
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Date
2008-07-22
Location
Lake Providence, LA, USA
Aircraft
Grumman 164A
Registration
N7249
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering during an aerial application. Contributing to the accident was the wind gust.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he had just descended down a line of approximately 100-foot-tall trees in a bi-wing agricultural airplane and entered a swath path that was approximately 3-4 feet high above a rice crop. The normal height for the airplane above this particular crop was about 8 to 12- feet-high. As the pilot attempted to climb to a higher altitude, a wind gust pushed the airplane from the right and off of his swath path. Instead of adjusting for his low altitude first, the pilot attempted to realign the airplane back on the swath path by applying right rudder and slight back pressure on the control stick. As a result, the application of right rudder reduced lift and the airplane's right main wheel struck a levy. The airplane flipped over three times before it came to rest in a near vertical position. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine was torn from its mounts, and the empennage and tail section separated from the airframe. In addition, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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