Grumman G-164B accident near Hazelton, North Dakota, August 11, 2001
On August 11, 2001, a Grumman G-164B, registered N48624, was destroyed in an accident near Hazelton, North Dakota (Hazelton Airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's ostentatious display when he performed a low level manuever and stalled the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 2001
- Place
- Hazelton, North Dakota · Hazelton Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164B · all G-164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N48624 · no longer on the register · serial 88B
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and fire when it impacted terrain after a loss of control following a low level maneuver. Witnesses reported the airplane flew over runway 35 (2,500 feet by 125 feet, turf) and then pulled into a steep vertical climb. The airplane then nosed over and impacted the terrain in a steep nose down attitude. One witness reported, "The pilot of the aircraft approached the runway from the South going North. I thought he was going to land but flew by appearing to be at full power [. As] he neared the north end of the runway he pulled up sharply to avoid power line on north end of runway. He started his turn to the left [-] I'm estimating 150 to 200 feet. The plain [plane] seem to stall + fell almost straight down. Instant explosion on impact." The inspection of the airplane revealed no pre-existing anomalies to the airframe or engine.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 6H8 Hazelton ND
- Destination: Hazelton ND
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,500 ft by 125 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.