Grumman/Schweizer G-164D N6736K

Summary

On 8 June 2024 at about 00:00 local time, a Grumman/Schweizer G-164D registered N6736K, operated by Avag Inc, was involved in an accident near Richvale, California, 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

8 June 2024 at 00:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Richvale, California, United States

Nearest airport

Richvale Airport (07CL)

Coordinates

39.5019, -121.7711

Aircraft

Grumman/Schweizer G-164D

Registration

N6736K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Avag Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR24LA186

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s decision to take off with a tailwind and their failure to maintain clearance from terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after the airplane was loaded with 2,400 – 2,500 lbs of rice seed, he exited the loading area and initiated takeoff on a 2,200-foot long runway. During takeoff roll, about mid-field, the tail lifted up as he expected, and engine instruments showed expected performance. However, acceleration seemed diminished, and he increased power “to the stops.” Subsequently, the airplane struck an embankment at the end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and bottom left wing leading edge. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing runway 34, and wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.