N48723

On June 1, 2000, at 1500 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G164B agricultural airplane, N48723, was destroyed when it ground looped during landing roll on a private grass airstrip near Natchitoches, Louisiana. The airplane was owned and operated by Valley Air, Inc., of Natchitoches, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight originated approximately 1445.

The pilot stated that he had been on an aerial application flight, spraying fertilizer on local fields. He had applied 18 loads and was returning to pick up his 19th load of fertilizer. The pilot stated that during the landing roll, "the aircraft started turning right and ground looped before [he] corrected directional control." The main landing gear collapsed, the fuel tank ruptured, and a fire erupted. The pilot reported the airstrip was oriented north-south, and there was a 10-12 mph crosswind from the east at the time of the accident.

The cockpit, fuselage, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer were consumed by the fire. The cabane struts were structurally damaged, which resulted in the top wing collapsing and coming to rest on the forward part of the fuselage. The three-bladed propeller and radial engine remained attached to the airplane.