Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B accident near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, July 23, 2007
On July 23, 2007 at about 7:25 pm local time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B, registered N8402K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas (Wilson'S Flying Service airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to takeoff with a tailwind which resulted in a collision with terrain immediately after liftoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the tailwind and the levee.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 2007 · about 7:25 pm local time
- Place
- Walnut Ridge, Arkansas · Wilson'S Flying Service · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream-Schweizer Gulfstream AM G-164B
- 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 agricultural airplane impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 18 (2,200 feet long, asphalt/gravel). The pilot stated that prior to the aerial application flight, the airplane was loaded with about 500 lbs of fuel and 2,700 lbs of urea. The takeoff weight was about 7,600 lbs. The maximum demonstrated gross weight for the restricted category airplane was 8,300 lbs. The pilot reported that the wind was approximately "10-12 mph" out of the north and that he performed a "straight downwind takeoff" using full engine power. Halfway down the runway, the pilot "knew [he] was in trouble" and decided to dump the agricultural load. He stated that when the airplane got to the end of the runway, it hit a levee and pitched to a nose high attitude. When the pilot lowered the nose, the airplane "mushed down, losing airspeed." The airplane then impacted terrain tail first, nosed over, and came to rest upside down. Wind conditions reported near the time of the accident were 010 degrees at 8 knots.
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: 1,085 hours in all; 606 in this make and model; 276 in the last 90 days; 105 in the last 30 days; 1,022 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 10,452.4 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 8,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett-Airesearch TPE331-1 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Walnut Ridge AR at 7:25 pm
- Destination: PVT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from ARG
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.
Other NTSB records under N8402K 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.