VILLE PLATTE, LA, USA
N48538
GRUMMAN G-164A
ON APPROACH TO THE 1,400-FT GRASS AIRSTRIP, THE AIRCRAFT'S LOWER RIGHT WING STRUCK A LEVEE '...PULLING [IT] DOWN AND TO THE RIGHT....' THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER IN A BORDERING DITCH. DUE TO A SERVICING TRUCK PARKED ON THE APPROACH END OF THE STRIP THE PILOT COULD NOT MAKE A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH AND MADE AN OFF-SET APPROACH.
On May 23, 1995, at 1630 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N48538, was substantially damaged while on approach to landing near Ville Platte, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at a private grass airstrip in Ville Platte, Louisiana earlier in the day. In the enclosed Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that "while attempting a landing [on a 1,400 foot long grass airstrip]...the right lower wing struck a levee, pulling the airplane down and to the right, resulting in a nose over in a bordering ditch." Post crash examination of the aircraft revealed structural damage to both wings, the fuselage, and propeller. An inspection of the accident scene revealed that the pilot could not complete a straight in approach to the 1400 foot landing strip due to a servicing truck being parked on the approach end. In the pilot's written report he diagrammed his approach,it depicted an angled approach from the north.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CLEAR A LEVEE DURING THE APPROACH. A FACTOR WAS A TRUCK PARKED ON THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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