Grumman G-164A accident near Yerington, Nevada, June 18, 2009
On June 18, 2009 at about 1:00 pm local time, a Grumman G-164A, registered N9723, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Yerington, Nevada. 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 pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 2009 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Yerington, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164A · all G-164As on the register
- Registration
- N9723 · no longer on the register · serial 1239
- 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 reported that after completing a spray run he was maneuvering for another run and rolled the wings level. The airplane experienced a loss of aileron control and settled toward the ground. The pilot still had pitch control, so he lowered the nose to maintain airspeed until he was able to regain aileron control. Prior to ground impact, the pilot attempted to flare to cushion the impact. The airplane landed hard, and during the landing roll it came to a sudden stop and nosed over. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector inspected the airplane and engine on scene. Flight control continuity was established, as well as mechanical continuity of the engine; there were no mechanical anomalies found that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 820 hours in all; 132 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 770 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 17, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,963 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 16, 2009; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt And Whitney - Canada R1340-AN-1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Ag Air Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: O43 Yerington NV at 1:00 pm
- Destination: O43 Yerington NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from NFL, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.