Primary finding
Probable cause
was that the pilot misjudged the airplane's altitude during the swath run.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight. During the swath run, he misjudged the airplane's altitude and collided with a berm.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 19, 1994, about 1645 hours Pacific standard time, a Grumman 164A, N8649H, collided with terrain about 2 miles southeast of Davis, California. The pilot was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) local aerial application flight under 14 CFR Part 137. The airplane, registered to and operated by Sunrise Dusters, Inc., Knights Landing, California, was destroyed. The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Martin Brothers airstrip, Davis, California, at 1620 hours. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2. He said in the report that during a swath run the airplane struck a dirt bank. He also indicated the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures. -