Grumman G-164B Ag Cat, N6795Q: Accident occurred July 05, 2018 in Rochelle, Ogle County, Illinois

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; DuPage, Illinois

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

http://registry.faa.gov/N6795Q

Location: Rochelle, IL
Accident Number: GAA18CA401
Date & Time: 07/05/2018, 1500 CDT
Registration: N6795Q
Aircraft: Grumman G164
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

Analysis 

The pilot of the turbine-powered airplane reported that, during takeoff for an agricultural application flight, he failed to move the power lever from the ground idle position to the flight position. During takeoff, the airplane did not attain sufficient airspeed, aerodynamically stalled about 50 ft above the ground, impacted terrain, and came to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to move the power lever to the proper position before takeoff, which resulted in insufficient airspeed and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Findings

Aircraft
Power lever - Incorrect use/operation (Cause)
Airspeed - Not attained/maintained (Cause)

Personnel issues
Lack of action - Pilot (Cause)
Use of equip/system - Pilot (Cause)
Monitoring equip/instruments - Pilot (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff
Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Aerodynamic stall/spin

Landing
Roll over 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 20, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/26/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/23/2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 849 hours (Total, all aircraft), 10 hours (Total, this make and model), 700 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 150 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Grumman
Registration: N6795Q
Model/Series: G164 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted
Serial Number: 306B
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection:  Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Honeywell
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: Garrett
Registered Owner: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc
Rated Power: 720 hp
Operator: Hendrickson Flying Service Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural Aircraft (137)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRPJ, 781 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 8 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2055 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 246°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 3300 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 9000 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 340°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.26 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Rochelle, IL (IL93)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Rochelle, IL (IL93)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1500 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: HENDRICKSON FLYING SERVICE (IL93)
Runway Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 889 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry; Vegetation
Runway Used: S
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 2800 ft / 200 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.943889, -88.924444 (est)