No fatalities

Left Landing Gear Separation During Takeoff Roll (N31184)

Near Madera, CA, US

On April 1, 1983, a Grumman American G164-B (registration N31184) was involved in an aviation accident near Near Madera, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to avoid a chuck hole in high grass during takeoff, which resulted in the separation of the left landing gear. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-23Data APIEditorial standards

Aircraft suffered left landing gear separation after striking a chuck hole in high grass during takeoff roll for an aerial application mission. The pilot sustained minor injuries.

What happened

The aircraft was operating from a field to conduct an aerial application mission when the accident occurred during the initial phase of flight. According to the factual narrative, the airplane encountered a chuck hole located within high grass while accelerating down the runway for takeoff. The impact with this irregularity in the terrain caused the left landing gear to separate from the airframe.

The weather conditions at the time were visual meteorological conditions (VMC), indicating clear skies and good visibility. No flight plan was filed for this operation, which is typical for many local aerial application flights. The flight was originating from the field where the accident took place, meaning the aircraft had not yet departed the airport environment.

The investigation

The source text does not provide detailed mechanical findings or inspection results beyond the immediate result of the impact. It confirms that the left landing gear separated from the aircraft as a direct consequence of hitting the chuck hole. No other mechanical failures or pre-existing conditions are mentioned in the provided excerpt.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the accident was the terrain condition at the departure site. The presence of a chuck hole in high grass created an unexpected hazard during the critical takeoff roll phase. This environmental factor led directly to the structural failure of the landing gear system on the left side.

The pilot sustained minor injuries during the incident. There were no fatalities reported. The aircraft was damaged as a result of the gear separation, though specific damage details beyond the gear are not provided in this summary.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to avoid a chuck hole in high grass during takeoff, which resulted in the separation of the left landing gear.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Apr 1983 Grumman American G164-B accident near Near Madera, CA?

Aircraft suffered left landing gear separation after striking a chuck hole in high grass during takeoff roll for an aerial application mission. The pilot sustained minor injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Apr 1983 Grumman American G164-B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Apr 1983 involved a Grumman American G164-B, registration N31184, at Near Madera, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to avoid a chuck hole in high grass during takeoff, which resulted in the separation of the left landing gear.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X42720. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.