Summary
On March 22, 2008, a Grumman-schweizer G-164B (N63D) was involved in an incident near Colfax, WA. 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 pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall mush, and, the subsequent failure to maintain terrain and obstacle clearance during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing factors were the tailwind weather condition, and the one-way direction requirements of the airstrip.
The pilot said that he was departing for an aerial application flight on runway 25 with a 12- to 15-knot tailwind. He had 1,400 pounds of dry fertilizer in the hopper. Takeoff from this airport must be in one direction due to climbing terrain and runway slope. He started a right turn down a valley when he felt a loss of lift. He started to dump his applicant, but the weight transfer was too slow. The airplane descended into power lines and impacted the ground. It continued through a fence and impacted a light pole.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX08CA082. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N63D.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed that resulted in a stall mush, and, the subsequent failure to maintain terrain and obstacle clearance during the takeoff initial climb. Contributing factors were the tailwind weather condition, and the one-way direction requirements of the airstrip.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot said that he was departing for an aerial application flight on runway 25 with a 12- to 15-knot tailwind. He had 1,400 pounds of dry fertilizer in the hopper. Takeoff from this airport must be in one direction due to climbing terrain and runway slope. He started a right turn down a valley when he felt a loss of lift. He started to dump his applicant, but the weight transfer was too slow. The airplane descended into power lines and impacted the ground. It continued through a fence and impacted a light pole.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX08CA082