Summary
On March 15, 1994, a Grumman G-164A (N9686) was involved in an incident near Sublette, KS. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The commercial pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Related factors are sun glare and rising terrain.
On March 14, 1994, at 1830 central standard time, a Grumman G164A, N9686, operated by Max Birney Aerial Spraying, Inc. impacted rising terrain during an aerial application swath run in the vicinity of Sublette, Kansas. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, and originated from a private airstrip in Sublette, Kansas approximately 1815.
The pilot reported he was flying on a westerly heading during an herbicide application spray run. He stated the sun was in his eyes "...setting on the horizon..." and he did not observe an increase in terrain elevation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CHI94LA106. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9686.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the commercial pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Related factors are sun glare and rising terrain.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On March 14, 1994, at 1830 central standard time, a Grumman G164A, N9686, operated by Max Birney Aerial Spraying, Inc. impacted rising terrain during an aerial application swath run in the vicinity of Sublette, Kansas. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, and originated from a private airstrip in Sublette, Kansas approximately 1815.
The pilot reported he was flying on a westerly heading during an herbicide application spray run. He stated the sun was in his eyes "...setting on the horizon..." and he did not observe an increase in terrain elevation. The pilot reported the landing gear struck the terrain and the airplane "...flipped...end over end...coming to stop right side up." The pilot's safety recommendation was to fly higher during spray runs.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA106