Grumman/Schweizer G-164D accident near Richvale, California, June 8, 2024
On June 8, 2024, a 1978 Grumman/Schweizer G-164D, registered N6736K, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff 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 pilot’s decision to take off with a tailwind and their failure to maintain clearance from terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2024
- Place
- Richvale, California · Richvale Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman/Schweizer G-164D, built 1978
- Registration
- N6736K · no longer on the register · serial 31C
- 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after the airplane was loaded with 2,400 – 2,500 lbs of rice seed, he exited the loading area and initiated takeoff on a 2,200-foot long runway. During takeoff roll, about mid-field, the tail lifted up as he expected, and engine instruments showed expected performance. However, acceleration seemed diminished, and he increased power “to the stops.” Subsequently, the airplane struck an embankment at the end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and bottom left wing leading edge. At the time of the accident, the pilot was departing runway 34, and wind was from 170° at 5 knots. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 14,000 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 13,400 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 11, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,568.6 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, May 25, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 7,573 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-34AG (turboprop); 67,821 hours total
- Operator: Avag INC
The flight
- Runway 34, 2,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from OVE, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Left-side view at accident site
Photograph 2 – Left side view of wing at accident site
Photograph 3 – Left wing leading edge at accident siteThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 6, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.