Accident Schweizer G-164B Turbo Ag-Cat N6689K, Saturday 5 May 1990

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Date:	Saturday 5 May 1990
Time:	19:16 LT
Type:	Schweizer G-164B Turbo Ag-Cat
Owner/operator:	Avag, Inc.
Registration:	N6689K
MSN:	420B
Total airframe hrs:	7371 hours
Engine model:	P&W PT6-34AG
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Richvale, CA - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Agricultural
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT OF A FULLY LOADED AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM THE 2200 FOOT LONG RUNWAY 34 AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ABOUT 3/4 DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTH AT 10 KNOTS AND WAS AT FULL ENGINE POWER WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. THE PILOT REPORTED EXPERIENCING A 'DEAD SPOT' WHERE THE WIND WAS BLOCKED BY TREES AND EQUIPMENT. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB DURING TAKEOFF RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING INTO TERRAIN.

Accident investigation: