Grumman G-164 accident near Scotia, South Carolina, July 14, 1996
On July 14, 1996 at about 1:10 pm local time, a Grumman G-164, registered N5370, was substantially damaged in an accident near Scotia, South Carolina (Davis airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 1996 · about 1:10 pm local time
- Place
- Scotia, South Carolina · Davis · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164 · all G-164s on the register
- Registration
- N5370 · no longer on the register · serial 651
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The agricultural airplane had been loaded with chemicals and water just prior to takeoff. After liftoff, about 75-100 feet above the ground, the engine lost power, then quit. The airplane subsequently hit a tree and the ground, then caught fire. Following the accident, the dump door on the load hopper was found open. A postcrash examination of the engine did not reveal any failure or malfunction of the engine that was not associated with the impact and postcrash ground fire. The fire severely damaged the engine accessory section and the cockpit, interrupting flight control continuity.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 4,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 23, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 3,725 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 AN-1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Davis Airport SC at 1:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from CAE, 75 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.