Grumman G-164B accident near Tolleson, Arizona, August 9, 1992
On August 9, 1992 at about 2:00 pm local time, a Grumman G-164B, registered N6809K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tolleson, Arizona (Freeway Av AG 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 PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE RAVINE THAT CROSSED THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 9, 1992 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Tolleson, Arizona · Freeway Av AG · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164B · all G-164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6809K · no longer on the register · serial 494B
- 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 WAS BEGINNING AN AGRICULTURAL AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT FROM A PRIVATELY OWNED DIRT AIRSTRIP. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A WASHED OUT RAVINE THAT CROSSED THE RUNWAY, PITCHED UP, AND STALLED. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ANY FLYING SPEED AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED TWO MORE TIMES UNTIL ITS TAILWHEEL STRUCK A DIRT EMBANKMENT AT THE END ON THE RUNWAY.
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: 584 hours in all; 291 in this make and model; 291 in the last 90 days; 160 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 2, 1900
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Freeway Av AG, INC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,300 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.