Tuesday, August 03, 2021

Grumman G-164 Ag Cat, N3629F: Accident occurred July 30, 2021 in Tracy, San Joaquin County, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oakland, California
Honeywell; Phoenix, Arizona

Haley's Flying Service Inc


Location: Tracy, CA
Accident Number: WPR21LA299
Date & Time: July 30, 2021, 14:23 Local 
Registration: N3629F
Aircraft: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G164B
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On July 30, 2021, about 1423 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164B airplane, N3629F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tracy, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

The pilot reported that he was just beginning his 8th pass over a hay field that was located beneath high-tension power lines. He planned to repeat his previous passes by flying south below the high-tension power lines, which ran diagonally across the field (northeast to southwest) and the flight path. When the pilot was about midfield, he experienced a total loss of engine power accompanied by a vibration. The pilot stated that his airspeed was about 130 mph at the time of the power loss, but it decayed rapidly. He was unable to enter a climb due to the power lines located overhead. The pilot flew about 10-15 ft above ground level under another set of power lines at the south end of the field to an adjacent field. He then began a shallow right tun to orient the airplane parallel to a series of raised dirt beds. However, during the turn the airplane contacted the ground and several trees. Photographs showed substantial damage to the fuselage and wings.

The wreckage was retained for further examination. 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP
Registration: N3629F
Model/Series: G-164B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: Agricultural aircraft (137)
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: TCY,194 ft msl 
Observation Time: 15:22 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 
Temperature/Dew Point: 40°C /0°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 11 knots / 19 knots, 320°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Tracy, CA (NA)
Destination: Tracy, CA (NA)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 37.84131,-121.52415 

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