Grumman-Schweizer G-164B accident near Ville Platte, Louisiana, July 15, 2000
On July 15, 2000 at about 3:00 pm local time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, registered N428KG, was destroyed in an accident near Ville Platte, Louisiana. 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 loss of control for an undetermined reason.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 15, 2000 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ville Platte, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman-Schweizer G-164B
- Registration
- N428KG · no longer on the register · serial 534B
- 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 fueled and departed for an aerial application flight. The airplane did not return to the airstrip, and subsequently, the wreckage was located in a dry rice field. There were no witnesses to the accident. The energy path from the initial component, which was the propeller, to the main wreckage measured 180 feet. The lower left wing separated from the airframe and was located along the energy path, between the propeller and the main wreckage. Flight control continuity was established from just behind the cockpit area to the elevator and rudder. Flight control continuity could not be established for the ailerons due to impact damage. Examination of the engine revealed evidence consistent with operation at the time of impact. An autopsy and toxicological tests were requested, but the NTSB did not receive the results.
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: 16,507 hours in all; 16,285 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,308 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 28, 2000; 3,141 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,075 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6A-20 (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Young Flyers INC.
The flight
- Departed from: NONE LA at 2:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from LFT, 30 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.