Grumman-Schweizer G-164B N48417

Summary

On 6 September 2002 at about 14:45 local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B registered N48417 was involved in an accident near Martin, Michigan, 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

6 September 2002 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Martin, Michigan, United States

Nearest airport

Pvt Airstrip

Coordinates

42.5311, -85.6472

Aircraft

Grumman-Schweizer G-164B

Registration

N48417

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Martin → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI02LA277

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate aircraft preflight and his inability to abort the takeoff due to the obscured windshield. Contributing to the accident was the bent hopper latch and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane contacted a corn crop following a loss of control during takeoff. The pilot reported that on takeoff at an airspeed of about 50 miles per hour the right aft corner of the hopper lid became unsecured. He reported that the fungicide in the hopper sprayed out and covered the windshield. The pilot reported that because of hazards on both sides and at the end of the runway he felt it was best to continue the takeoff at full power. He stated that he was able to see out the lower right corner of the windshield which was only partially obscured. The pilot stated he then lost control of the airplane and the lower left wing contacted the corn crop on the left edge of the airstrip. The airplane was turned into the crop where it came to rest. Inspection of the right rear latch on the double gang-bar type latch revealed that the latch was bent.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.