Grumman G-164B N48597

Summary

On 31 May 2003 at about 21:40 local time, a Grumman G-164B registered N48597 was involved in an accident near Superior, Nebraska, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 May 2003 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Superior, Nebraska, United States

Nearest airport

Superior Municipal Airport (12K)

Coordinates

40.0461, -98.0600

Aircraft

Grumman G-164B

Registration

N48597

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Superior → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03LA144

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the delayed remedial action by the pilot, resulting in a stall. Factors to the accident included the aircraft’s low altitude and the pilot's lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During a climbing departure after takeoff, the aerial application airplane encountered a stall and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported a vibration in the tail followed by an uncontrolled descent. The pilot stated he proceeded to jettison his load of water and lowered the nose to regain control of aircraft. The pilot reported his remedial action was unsuccessful and the aircraft "kept coming down." The pilot's total flight time in the accident make and model aircraft was less than one hour. The pilot indicated the winds were light and variable, however he believed he encountered "bad air" and "lateral wind shear." A local weather observation indicated the winds were light and variable around the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.