Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B accident near Buckeye, Arizona, April 22, 2010
On April 22, 2010 at about 4:17 pm local time, a Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B, registered N48455, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Buckeye, Arizona (Buckeye airport). 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
A partial loss of engine power during the takeoff roll for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 2010 · about 4:17 pm local time
- Place
- Buckeye, Arizona · Buckeye · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B · all G-164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N48455 · registry record · serial 28B
- 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 performed an uneventful preflight inspection and engine run-up prior to departing for the aerial application flight. During the takeoff roll, about 2/3 of the way down the runway, the engine lost partial power. The pilot attempted to force the airplane airborne with control inputs; however, it struck a gate at the end of the runway and nosed over. A subsequent examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies 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 engine power (partial) during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all; 825 in this make and model; 93 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 6,000 as pilot in command; 1,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 12, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 15,268 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 18, 2009; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,200 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W 1340 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Buckeye AZ at 4:17 pm
- Destination: PVT Buckeye AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,500 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from KBXK, 14 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.
Other NTSB records under N48455 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.