Schweizer G-164B accident near Scotia, Nebraska, April 30, 1992
On April 30, 1992, a Schweizer G-164B, registered N31GW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Scotia, Nebraska (Scotia, NE 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 AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN A NOSE OVER DURING THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. RELATED FACTORS ARE THE POWER LINES (OBSTRUCTIONS) AND INADEQUATE ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 30, 1992
- Place
- Scotia, Nebraska · Scotia, NE Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer G-164B
- Registration
- N31GW · registry record · serial 507B
- 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 HE WAS TAKING OFF WITH A LOAD OF CHEMICALS FOR AERIAL APPLICATION. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE '...LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY, BUT AT A SLOW SPEED. I REMAINED CLOSE TO THE GROUND TO STAY IN GROUND EFFECT, BUT NOTICED NO ACCELERATION.' THE PILOT DETERMINED THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLEAR THE POWER LINES LOCATED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, SO HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER JUST AFTER IT TOUCHED DOWN, AND SKIDDED ABOUT 20 FEET BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP.
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: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,728 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 94 in the last 90 days; 43 in the last 30 days; 2,505 as pilot in command; 270 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,536 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 7, 1992; 34 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,075 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Wells Air Service, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 2,400 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 1°F (-17°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.