Schweizer G-164B accident near Gila Bend, Arizona, October 28, 1985
On October 28, 1985 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Schweizer G-164B, registered N8487K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gila Bend, Arizona (Gila Bend airport). It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. 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
- October 28, 1985 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Gila Bend, Arizona · Gila Bend · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer G-164B
- Registration
- N8487K · no longer on the register · serial 691B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER SPRAYING A FIELD AND WHILE ENROUTE TO THE LANDING SITE, THE ACFT ENGINE BACKFIRED FOLLOWED BY A RAPID LOSS OF POWER. THE PLT NEGOTIATED AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A PRIVATE DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRCRAFT LEFT WING STRUCK A TREE CAUSING THE ACFT TO FLIP OVER ONTO ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF FAILURE. THE CARBURETOR SCREEN, BOWL AND THE MAIN FUEL LINES WERE FREE OF ANY CONTAMINATES. THE GASCOLATOR CONTAINED A LARGE AMOUNT OF MUDDY WATER.
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: 3,258 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 3,258 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,194 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 3, 1985; 148 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Pierce Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: Yuma AZ at 10:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 15,000 ft; scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from E63, 23 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 N8487K 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.