NYC03LA120

Factual narrative

On June 6, 2003, at 0914 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G-164, N10291, was substantially damaged during an initial climb after takeoff from Woodcrest Farms Airstrip (JY17), Bridgeton, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. The pilot stated: "Fourth aerial application flight of the morning. 30 acres/150 gallons of spray material on board (same as two previous flights). Wind from west at about 5 kts (same as previous flight). Take-off, all conditions normal. Experienced settling at the hedgerow at end of runway and clipped the top of a 30 ft tree. Unable to continue flight, settled into wheat field on the opposite side of hedgerow and touched down in landing attitude. Left main gear collapsed and aircraft flipped inverted." In a follow-up interview, the pilot reported that he used the full length of runway 23, a turf runway that was 2,300 feet long, and 100 feet wide, for departure. The wind was variable, from the west at 5 to 6 knots. Trees bordered both ends of the runway. After becoming airborne, he felt a "burble", which he had felt on previous flights, as he approached a row of trees, and this time the airplane was unable to clear the trees at the departure end of the runway. When asked what the airplane's normal liftoff airspeed was, and what airspeed he had used during the initial climb, the pilot reported that he had not observed his airspeed and was unaware of the airplane's airspeed at liftoff or initial climb. The pilot reported that the airplane was loaded with 1,200 pounds of liquid chemicals, intended to be sprayed, and that he had flown similar loads from that runway with no problems. The airplane was equipped with an emergency dump for the chemicals, which the pilot elected not to use. The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 4,500 pounds. When asked about the engine, the pilot reported that it had been overhauled about 10 hours prior to the accident, and was working "satisfactorily" at the time of the accident. When asked about the stall characteristics of the airplane, the pilot reported that the airplane would mush before it would stall. The pilot was making his 4th flight of the day carrying chemicals for spraying. After becoming airborne and approaching a row of trees, he felt a, "burble", and the airplane was unable to clear the trees at the end of the runway. The airplane flew through the tops of the trees, and settled to the ground beyond the trees in a level attitude. The pilot reported that he was unaware of his airspeed at liftoff and climb. Further the pilot elected not to dump the 1,200 pounds of chemicals onboard, which would have decreased his weight by about 25 percent. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12