NTSB Factual Report

On April 29, 2002, approximately 0810 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B agricultural airplane, N6718K, sustained substantial damage when it nosed over while landing near Gillett, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Trites Flying Service, Gillett, Arkansas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from a private dirt airstrip near Gillett at 0745.

In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that after the airplane had landed, both left and right spray booms became entangled in high grass that bordered the sides of the runway. The airplane subsequently turned 90 degrees to the left, went up on its nose, then flipped over, coming to rest in an inverted position 30 feet left and parallel to the runway.

An FAA inspector, who traveled to the accident site, reported the rudder and left upper wing panel sustained structural damage, the right upper wing panel was twisted, and the left lower wing panel was damaged.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. A contributing factor was the high vegetation.