On October 7, 1984, a Grumman G-164A (registration N6587) operated by Garriott Crop Dusting Inc was involved in an aviation accident near Lamont, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by relying on fuel gauges without a visual check and failing to refuel due to equipment limitations, resulting in fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot flew for approximately 30 minutes earlier in the day but failed to refuel because the hose could not reach the aircraft. He did not visually verify fuel levels before departure and relied solely on gauges, leading to engine failure after three passes.
What happened
The pilot reported that he had operated an aircraft earlier on the same day for approximately 30 minutes. Although he intended to refuel prior to his subsequent flight, the fuel hose available at the location was too short to reach the aircraft's tank, so no fuel was added. Before departing, the pilot did not perform a visual inspection of the fuel quantity and instead relied entirely on the fuel gauges for assessment.
After takeoff, the pilot executed three passes, each measuring approximately 1/2 mile in length. During this phase of flight, the engine quit unexpectedly. A post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed no evidence of fuel remaining in the system.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by relying on fuel gauges without a visual check and failing to refuel due to equipment limitations, resulting in fuel exhaustion.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 7 Oct 1984 Grumman G-164A accident near Lamont, CA?
A pilot flew for approximately 30 minutes earlier in the day but failed to refuel because the hose could not reach the aircraft. He did not visually verify fuel levels before departure and relied solely on gauges, leading to engine failure after three passes.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 7 Oct 1984 involved a Grumman G-164A, registration N6587, operated by Garriott Crop Dusting Inc, at Lamont, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply by relying on fuel gauges without a visual check and failing to refuel due to equipment limitations, resulting in fuel exhaustion.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…