Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain a glidepath adequate to avoid an obstacle, and his inadequate compensation for the wind.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that approaching runway 18 at the airstrip, the airplane was too low and too slow and it started to mush. The pilot continued with the approach and landing, and the airplane collided with a 'bobtail' truck. At the time, the wind was from 180 degrees at 15 knots.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 11, 1995, at 1400 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Grumman 164A, N8507H, operated by AVAG, Inc., collided with a truck while landing at the Cherokee (uncontrolled) airstrip near Richvale, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the agricultural flight. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Richvale, California, at 1350 PDT. According to the pilot, while coming in for a landing on runway 18, the airplane was "to low and to slow," and it "started to mush." The pilot continued with the approach, and the airplane collided with a "bobtail" truck. At the time, the wind was from 180 degrees at 15 knots. -