Grumman G-164 accident near 10 West Of Bigg, California, May 17, 1982
On May 17, 1982, a Grumman G-164, registered N10280, was substantially damaged in an accident near 10 West Of Bigg, California (Nock 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
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 17, 1982
- Place
- 10 West Of Bigg, California · Nock
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164 · all G-164s on the register
- Registration
- N10280 · no longer on the register · serial 80
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND LOSE POWER. WHILE LANDING IN THE ONLY AVAILABLE AREA, ONE OF THE MAIN GEAR DUG INTO A SOFT SPOT AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE NO. 4 CYLINDER HAD BECOME CRACKED FROM THE FRONT SPARK PLUG HOLE TO THE REAR SPARK PLUG HOLE. ABOUT 4 INCHES OF THE CRACK APPEARED TO BE OLD, THE REMAINDER OF THE CRACK WAS NEW.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 750 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,475 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 125 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,725 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P & W R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: P.M. Dusters, INC
The flight
- Departed from: 10 West Of Bigg CA at 5:49 pm
- Destination: 10 West Of Bigg CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 192°F (89°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 4:55 pm from MYV, 25 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.