Grumman Aircraft Cor-Schweizer G-164A accident near Elmira, Michigan, July 17, 2013
On July 17, 2013 at about 8:25 pm local time, a 1975 Grumman Aircraft Cor-Schweizer G-164A, registered N8719H, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Elmira, Michigan. 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
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a line of trees while applying agricultural product to a field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2013 · about 8:25 pm local time
- Place
- Elmira, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman Aircraft Cor-Schweizer G-164A, built 1975
- Registration
- N8719H · no longer on the register · serial 1489
- 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 was applying agricultural product on a field, flying toward a line of trees that were about 60 feet in height. The airplane had been loaded with about 200 gallons of chemical, of which about 100 gallons had already been sprayed. Upon completion of the spray run, the airplane impacted the tree line. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
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 in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Slf Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 4Y4 Gaylord MI at 7:55 pm
- Destination: 4Y4 Gaylord MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 9 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from GLR, 12 miles away
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 N8719H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.