Grumman G-164B N6633K

Summary

On 9 July 1991 at about 05:00 local time, a Grumman G-164B registered N6633K, operated by Al DON Dusting Service, Inc., was involved in an accident near Eloy, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 July 1991 at 05:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Eloy, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Grumman G-164B

Registration

N6633K

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Al DON Dusting Service, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eloy → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

LAX91LA301

Nobody was injured.

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE TERRAIN CLEARANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A POTENTIAL EMERGENCY LANDING ON A MOONLESS DARK NIGHT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST DEPARTED FROM THE AIRSTRIP FOR A NIGHT SPRAY RUN. DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT SAID HE SENSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING ADEQUATE POWER. THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRCRAFT FOR A POSSIBLE LANDING IN AN OPEN AREA WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE POWER PROBLEM. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DARK NIGHT WITH NO MOON. THE ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS WERE EXAMINED BY THE FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTORS. IN THEIR VERBAL REPORT OF THE EXAMINATION, NO AIRCRAFT SYSTEM ABNORMALITIES WERE FOUND.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.