Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C CORP GULFSTREAM AM G-164B accident near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, May 10, 2011
On May 10, 2011 at about 2:30 pm local time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C CORP GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, registered N8402K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas (Walnut Ridge airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a left quartering tailwind and wind gusts.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2011 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Walnut Ridge, Arkansas · Walnut Ridge · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C CORP GULFSTREAM AM G-164B · all GULFSTREAM AM G-164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8402K · no longer on the register · serial 687B
- 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 pilot reported that while attempting to land his tailwheel equipped airplane in a left-quartering tailwind, he encountered a strong gust of wind and subsequently lost control. The airplane veered off the runway, the left main landing gear sunk in the mud and the airplane nosed over. Both wings, the vertical stabilizer and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems and the accident could have been prevented if he had executed a go-around and landed in the opposite direction.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 24,168 hours in all; 2,055 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 3,440 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Wilson Flying Service INC
The flight
- Departed from: ARG Walnut Ridge AR
- Destination: ARG Walnut Ridge AR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
Other NTSB records under N8402K the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN11CA174.