Schweizer G-164A accident near Animas, New Mexico, September 23, 1999
On September 23, 1999 at about 7:35 pm local time, a Schweizer G-164A, registered N8731H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Animas, New Mexico (Cotton City 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
A inadvertent stall during initial climb following takeoff. Factor were: high gross weight, high density altitude, inadequate preflight planning and preparation, and soft terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 23, 1999 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Animas, New Mexico · Cotton City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer G-164A
- Registration
- N8731H · no longer on the register · serial 1506
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On an aerial application flight, during initial climb following takeoff at maximum gross weight and a density altitude of 7,400 feet, the aircraft entered a stall/mush condition. The pilot attempted a forced landing in a field, which was soft, and the aircraft nosed over during landing roll.
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,328 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model; 220 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 17,978 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,985 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 9, 1999; 80 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340-AN-1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: DMN Deming NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 8, 2,640 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:58 pm from DMN, 55 miles away
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.