Grumman G164 N9716

Summary

On 29 May 2020 at about 21:45 local time, a Grumman G164 registered N9716, operated by Moller Aviation Inc, was involved in an accident near Maxwell, 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

29 May 2020 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Maxwell, California, United States

Nearest airport

Moller (8CL6)

Coordinates

39.2994, -122.1889

Aircraft

Grumman G164

Registration

N9716

Category

Airplane

Year built

1974

Engines

1

Operator

Moller Aviation Inc

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Maxwell → Maxwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR20CA159

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane was not attaining sufficient airspeed for takeoff and subsequently departed the end of the runway and collided with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation and planning and decision to takeoff with a tailwind.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that after loading the airplane with 2000 lbs. of sulfate and topping off with fuel in preparation for the aerial application flight, he began the takeoff roll on the 2,000 ft long airstrip with a tailwind.  The pilot realized that he was in trouble and needed more airspeed, so he applied full available power as there was now insufficient runway remaining to abort the takeoff and safely stop. The airplane subsequently collided with a berm at the end of the airstrip and became airborne for a short distance before the pilot forced landed the airplane in a rice field. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The wings and empennage were substantially damaged. The pilot added that he should have evaluated the weight, wind direction, and density altitude in relation to the performance capability of the airplane.   The pilot reported that there were no preimpact failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation.       

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.