N5397

Substantial
None

Grumman-Schweizer G-164AS/N: 1151

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, March 30, 2006
NTSB Number
ANC06CA039
Location
Dixon, CA
Event ID
20060503X00500
Coordinates
38.455833, -121.837776
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to attain altitude/clearance during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather, and unfavorable winds.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N5397
Make
GRUMMAN-SCHWEIZER
Serial Number
1151
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1973
Model / ICAO
G-164AG64T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
REGISTRATION PENDING
Address
6711 RIO DIXON HWY
Status
Deregistered
City
DIXON
State / Zip Code
CA 95620
Country
United States

Analysis

The commercial certificated pilot reported that after liftoff on a Title 14, CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, he kept the airplane in ground effect to accelerate and clear wires at the end of the runway. He said the airplane would not climb high enough to clear the wires, and he elected to turn away from them. After initiating the turn, it became evident he could not turn quickly enough, and he decided to fly under the wires. While flying under the wires, the main landing gear wheels contacted mud, and the airplane nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wing. The pilot reported that he departed the gravel airstrip with about a 5 knot tailwind. Another pilot he spoke with said the tailwind increased to about 25 knots at the height of the wires (30 feet). The accident pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC06CA039