Probable cause
An inflight loss of control during a low altitude operation for undetermined reasons.
NTSB analysis
The pilot was flying an aerial application flight over a tomato field from west to east when the airplane impacted a field and was consumed by a postimpact fire. There were no witnesses to the accident.
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial impact and thermal damage to the airframe and its corresponding systems. Impact signatures on the propeller revealed leading edge gouges, chordwise scratches on the face side of one propeller blade, and aft bending on both propeller blades in the opposite direction of rotation, which is consistent with some rotation at the time of impact.
The propeller exhibited some indication of power at the time of impact; however, the impact and thermal damage prevented a determination to what extent the engine was operating at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA305 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 6, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Davis, California
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A
- N-number
- N5450
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1973
- 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.