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Pilot succumbs to burns after aircraft overruns runway into crops (N7854)

Sommerset, LA, US

On July 25, 1990, a Grumman G-164A (registration N7854) operated by Farm Air Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Sommerset, LA. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent collision with terrain and crops. 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 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

A light aircraft departed a sod strip and struck a bean field at the end of the runway. The pilot escaped the initial crash but died from burn injuries one week later.

What happened

Shortly after takeoff from a sod strip, the aircraft flew into a three-foot-tall bean field located at the end of the runway. According to witness reports, the main wheels of the aircraft contacted the crops, causing the plane to slide to a stop on its side. A post-impact fire erupted very shortly after the initial collision. The pilot was able to escape from the wreckage but succumbed to burn injuries one week after the accident.

Findings

The density altitude at the time of the event was 1,600 feet. The pilot sustained fatal injuries resulting from the post-impact fire.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent collision with terrain and crops.
Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Jul 1990 Grumman G-164A accident near Sommerset, LA?

A light aircraft departed a sod strip and struck a bean field at the end of the runway. The pilot escaped the initial crash but died from burn injuries one week later.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 Jul 1990 Grumman G-164A accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Jul 1990 involved a Grumman G-164A, registration N7854, operated by Farm Air Service, Inc., at Sommerset, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during climbout, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent collision with terrain and crops.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23694. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.