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Accidents · NTSB FTW98LA236 · Final report

Grumman G-164 accident near Huntington, Utah, May 23, 1998

On May 23, 1998 at about 4:40 pm local time, a Grumman G-164, registered N744Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Huntington, Utah. 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 adequate airspeed.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
May 23, 1998 · about 4:40 pm local time
Place
Huntington, Utah · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Grumman G-164 · all G-164s on the register
Registration
N744Y · no longer on the register · serial 321
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 loaded the aircraft with 200 lbs. of insecticide and 60 gals. of fuel prior to departure. His first pass of spraying the field was successful, but he did not maintain as fast an airspeed on his second pass. As he was rolling out from his second pass, he pulled up over a 50 foot bluff and the aircraft 'mushed in or sank.' There were ridges on both sides, preventing the aircraft from turning. He attempted to fly up the ridge, but the aircraft stalled, impacting the ridge and slid approximately 100 feet before coming 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: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 2,350 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: ctr

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 1998; 12 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,725 lb
  • Seats: 1
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: P&W R-985 (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: 69V UT at 4:30 pm
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 0

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 180° at 2 knots
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1

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.