Schweizer G-164D accident near Richvale, California, May 6, 1990
On May 6, 1990 at about 2:15 am local time, a Schweizer G-164D, registered N6868Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Richvale, California (Richvale 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
THE PILOTS LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND ON A NARROW 30 FOOT WIDE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 1990 · about 2:15 am local time
- Place
- Richvale, California · Richvale · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer G-164D
- Registration
- N6868Q · registry record · serial 10
- 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 LOST CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY 16 WHICH IS 2200 FEET LONG AND 30 FEET WIDE. THE WINDS WERE 030 DEGREES AT SEVEN KNOTS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 85 DEGREES WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 2,000 FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH 4,000 POUNDS OF CHEMICAL. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 19,500 hours in all; 5,800 in this make and model; 350 in the last 90 days; 90 in the last 30 days; 18,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,371 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 5, 1990; 398 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,300 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6-34 AG (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 2,200 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:58 am from RBL, 35 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.