Pilot Debrief

SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G-164B near Richvale, CA — 2024-05-28

Final reportANC24FA038
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Date
2024-05-28
Location
Richvale, CA, USA
Airport
07CL
Aircraft
SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G-164B
Registration
N3629Y
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a trailer located on the edge of the runway during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the location of the trailer on the side of the runway.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the agricultural airplane was taking off when the accident occurred. A witness, located at the north end of the airfield, reported seeing the airplane become airborne about mid-field, and it began a shallow left turn to the northwest. The airplane’s lower right wing subsequently struck a hopper trailer that was parked on the left side of the departure end of the runway. After the collision, the airplane descended and impacted terrain near a drainage culvert beyond the north end of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the right bottom wing exhibited a large gouge and depression about 6.5 ft from the wingtip. The gouge was about 2 ft wide at the leading edge and tapered chordwise about 3.5 ft towards the trailing edge, through the wing spar, to the about midspan point of the bottom right aileron. The left wing hopper boom was collocated with the main wreckage and the right wing hopper boom was located at the first point of impact (hopper trailer). Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed flight control continuity from all flight control surfaces to the flight controls in the cockpit. The engine displayed contact signatures to its internal components characteristic of the engine developing power at the time of impact. There were no indications of any preimpact mechanical anomalies to any of the engine components that would have precluded normal engine operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff after seeing the trailer near the runway.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents7

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