Probable cause
The in-flight failure of the rudder attachment point due to severe corrosion, which made directional control of the airplane not possible during landing.
NTSB analysis
THIS CASE WAS MODIFIED MARCH 25, 2009.
The airplane was departing on an aerial application sortie when the lower portion of the rudder separated and yaw control was lost. The pilot flew the airplane for approximately 1/2 hour to learn its flight characteristics at low airspeeds and low power settings. During the landing, the airplane turned sideways, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Examination of the rudder revealed that the lower rudder attachment point had failed. The separation surfaces displayed evidence of severe corrosion. The airplane had an annual inspection on March 17, 2008, and had flown 1/2 hour since the inspection. The area where the corrosion was found and the failure occurred did not require inspection.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08LA083 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Genesee, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Heimgartner Airstrip (NONE)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
- N-number
- N8148K
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.