Pilot Debrief

GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B near Westley, CA — 2009-08-13

Final reportWPR09CA393
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Date
2009-08-13
Location
Westley, CA, USA
Aircraft
GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B
Registration
N6697Q
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and his decision to operate the airplane well in excess of its maximum gross weight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane did not climb after takeoff and was very sluggish. He held the airplane in ground effect to gain airspeed so that he could clear the chain link fence at the end of the runway. As the pilot attempted to initiate a climb, the airplane started to descend towards a sewage pond. The pilot attempted to jettison the load, but the airplane impacted the sewage pond and nosed over. The operator estimated that the airplane's gross weight at the time of the accident was approximately 6,100 pounds. Weight and Balance Data taken from the G-164B Pilot's Operating Handbook indicates that the maximum gross weight for the G-164B is 5,200 pounds.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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