Grumman G-164 N716Y

Summary

On 4 May 2011 at about 22:15 local time, a Grumman G-164 registered N716Y, operated by Jones Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Princeton, 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

4 May 2011 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Princeton, California, United States

Nearest airport

None

Coordinates

39.4033, -122.0467

Aircraft

Grumman G-164

Registration

N716Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jones Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Princeton → Princeton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11CA198

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he took off into a 15-mph headwind from a dirt strip with an 1,800-pound load of fertilizer. When the airplane was about 100 to 150 feet above ground level, he started turning into the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The airplane began to descend as he turned and he could not maintain altitude. He had insufficient altitude to release the full load before the airplane collided with the terrain. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.