Grumman G-164C accident near Hazen, Arkansas, February 23, 2004
On February 23, 2004 at about 8:16 pm local time, a Grumman G-164C, registered N6721K, was destroyed in an accident near Hazen, Arkansas (Skarda/Tollville 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 loss of control while maneuvering during an aerial application flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 23, 2004 · about 8:16 pm local time
- Place
- Hazen, Arkansas · Skarda/Tollville Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164C · all G-164Cs on the register
- Registration
- N6721K · no longer on the register · serial 52162653
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 18,000-hour pilot completed his fifth aerial application pass and initiated a right turn to return to the field to start his sixth pass, when the airplane impacted terrain. A witness located north of the accident site reported to have observed the airplane in a right turn as it impacted terrain, right wing first followed by the engine. An engine examination, revealed the prime mover exhibited impact damage. The accessory mounting studs were pulled out of the accessory case. The air inlet portion of the gear case assembly was fractured. The compressor, turbine, or propeller shaft would not rotate. The compressor blades were bent aft in the opposite direction of rotation with visual signs of dirt present. Internal components of the gear box rotated freely and appeared to be free of anomalies. The oil and fuel filters were absent of debris. The second stage turbine wheel disc exhibited radial/circumferential scraping against the third vane. Visual evidence of metal spray was observed on the trailing edges of the second stage turbine wheel blades. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe.
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, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 18,000 hours in all; 6,300 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: May 2, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,213.1 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 21, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE331-6-52M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 21AR Hazen AR at 6:16 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 8:15 pm from SGT, 10 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.