MONTICELLO, MS, USA
N6744K
Grumman G-164B
According to the pilot, a gust of wind from his left, rear quarter forced the Ag-Cat off the centerline of the county road where the right wingtip collided with adjacent trees. The pilot was uninjured and the fertilizer did not spill. The pilot's total flight time in turbine powered aircraft was 14.3 hours.
On May 22, 2000, about 1500 central daylight time, a Schweizer/Grumman G-164B, N6744K, registered to a private individual, operated by Payne's Flying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, crashed during takeoff in the vicinity of Monticello, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercially-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was taking off with a load of fertilizer in Jeff Davis County, Mississippi, when a left, rear quartering gust of wind forced the Ag Cat right of centerline causing the right wingtip to contact trees. Damage was done to the wings, left main landing gear, and the cabane and "N" struts. According to an FAA inspector, the flight was in its take off roll from a county hard-topped road for a fertilizer application mission when a left rear quartering gust of wind caused the pilot to lose directional control, collide with adjacent trees, and ground loop. There was no damage to public property, or spillage of the hopper's contents. It was the inspector's opinion that the pilot's low experience level in the airplane type contributed to the loss of control.
The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff into crosswind conditions resulting in the collision with trees. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity with the aircraft.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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