Schweizer G-164B accident near Rio Linda, California, June 16, 1997
On June 16, 1997 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Schweizer G-164B, registered N3631G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rio Linda, California (Crop Dusting Strip 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 pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by failing to ensure that sufficient airspeed would be obtained and/or maintained to remain clear of obstacles at the departure end of the runway. The obstacles (power lines & poles) were a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 1997 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Rio Linda, California · Crop Dusting Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer G-164B
- Registration
- N3631G · no longer on the register · serial 101
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Immediately after takeoff from the 2,400 foot dirt strip, the pilot made a 45-degree turn to avoid power lines that angled past the departure end of the runway. After clearing a road adjacent to the lines, the airplane settled. Subsequently, the landing gear was sheared off on the berm of an irrigation ditch, then the airplane came to rest inverted in a field beyond the ditch. Postaccident investigation revealed evidence of the carburetor being loose on the engine. The economizer link and the pump link were found to be in a 'high time condition since overhaul.' A flow test of the carburetor was conducted, but a determination of a proper fuel flow could not be established due to the extent of damage to the carburetor. No other preexisting anomalies were found with the engine.
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: 20,000 hours in all; 8,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,149 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 28, 1997; 90 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,400 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:47 pm from SMF, 5 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.