Grumman G-164A accident near Iowa, Louisiana, May 29, 1998
On May 29, 1998 at about 7:45 pm local time, a Grumman G-164A, registered N8629H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Iowa, Louisiana (Robertson'S Strip 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
partial loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reason(s). The obstructions (trees & dirt bank) were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 29, 1998 · about 7:45 pm local time
- Place
- Iowa, Louisiana · Robertson'S Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164A · all G-164As on the register
- Registration
- N8629H · registry record · serial 1438
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before takeoff, the airplane was loaded with 1,600 pounds of fertilizer to be applied on local rice fields. The pilot initiated a takeoff on a 2,300 foot grass airstrip. He stated that during the takeoff roll to the north, with a 5 to 8 knot crosswind from the west, the engine had a partial loss of power, and 'the tailwheel would not come up.' He released the load from the 300 gallon hopper, and the airplane became airborne. The main landing gear impacted the top of trees and subsequently impacted a levee. The pilot managed to continue flying, and proceeded to a 3,800 turf airstrip where emergency equipment was standing by. During the emergency landing, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane nosed over. No reason was found for the reported loss of engine power.
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: 1,042 hours in all; 508 in this make and model; 1,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,024 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 1998; 133 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LA71 at 7:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,300 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from CWF, 15 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.
Other NTSB records under N8629H the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.