Grumman G164 N8105K

Summary

On 3 August 2020 at about 19:00 local time, a Grumman G164 registered N8105K, operated by Swifton Aviation, was involved in an accident near Alicia, Arkansas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 August 2020 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Alicia, Arkansas, United States

Nearest airport

Pri

Coordinates

35.8944, -91.1258

Aircraft

Grumman G164

Registration

N8105K

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Swifton Aviation

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Alicia → Alicia

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20LA327

1 person had minor injuries.

Inadequate maintenance of panel fasteners, which led to a side panel coming loose during takeoff and the pilot having to make a subsequent forced landing to a flooded rice field when the airplane became difficult to control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff for an aerial spray flight, the pilot noticed a side panel come loose on the right side of the airplane. When the airplane became difficult to control, the pilot elected to make a forced landing into a flooded rice field, which damaged both wings and fuselage. Examination revealed the fasteners for the side panel and airframe had significant wear, which resulted in the panel coming loose during takeoff. Inadequate maintenance allowed the airworthiness hazard to exist during takeoff.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.