Shortly After Takeoff On Runway 34, The Airplane Struck A Hopper Trailer That Was Parked At And Oriented Parallel To The Departure End Of Runway

Location: Richvale, CA Accident Number: ANC24FA038
Date & Time: May 28, 2024, 13:46 Local Registration: N3629Y
Aircraft: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G164B Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 137: Agricultural

On May 28, 2024, about 1346 Pacific daylight time, a turbine-powered, Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B airplane, N3629Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Richvale, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

According to the operator, the airplane departed with 80 gallons of Jet-A turbine fuel onboard, and 345 gallons of agricultural material in the airplane’s hopper. The pilot was departing the Richvale Airport (07CL), Richvale, scheduled to spray over multiple agricultural fields. Shortly after takeoff on Runway 34, the airplane struck a hopper trailer that was parked at and oriented parallel to the departure end of runway 34 on the left side of the runway. A Witness, located at the North end of the airfield, reported seeing the airplane become airborne about mid-field, and it began a shallow, climbing left turn to the northwest. The airplane’s lower right wing subsequently struck a hopper trailer that was parked on the left side of the runway, at the departure end. After the collision, the airplane descended and impacted terrain near a drainage culvert beyond the North end of the runway.

The airplane came to rest on its left side with its wings detached and inverted in a field about 150 ft northwest from the departure end of runway 34 and was oriented on a heading of 299° magnetic. All the major structures of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site. The airplane’s first point of impact was the top of a hopper trailer that was parked at and oriented parallel to the departure end of runway 34 on the left side of the runway. Several ground scars that formed an about 25 ft long arc were located between the hopper trailer and the main wreckage, which was located about 200 ft northwest of the trailer. An odor consistent with JET A fuel was noted beneath the fuselage at the accident site.

No preimpact anomalies were observed with the flight control system. The three propeller blades exhibited rotational signatures. The accident airplane was equipped with Spidertracks and AgPilotX, both which provide historical flight track data, and the operator’s archived data has been collected for further analysis.

The wreckage has been recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov