N6793K

On June 25, 2024, about 0554 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer 164B, N6793K was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Nicolaus, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.

According to the pilot, he planned to reposition the airplane to Amana, Iowa. He stated that he prepared for the positioning flight by conducting 4 training flights to familiarize himself with the turbine-powered airplane. On the day of the accident flight, the airplane was loaded with about 270 gallons of Jet A fuel in the hopper and about 60 gallons of Jet A fuel in the wing tanks. The pilot stated that on the accident flight, he applied full power for takeoff on runway 18, however, the airplane did not accelerate as it had on previous flights with less weight. During the takeoff roll, once the tail came up, he noted that about 90% of the 2,100 ft long runway had been utilized and the airplane was failing to gain lift. The pilot applied an aft control stick input to clear a gate located at the end of the runway; however, the airplane struck the gate and a vehicle that was traveling on a road that spanned perpendicular to the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and came to rest upright.

Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both wings and the empennage were substantially damaged. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.