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Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Airplane Stalls During Climb, Impacts Terrain (N48597)

Superior, NE, US

On May 31, 2003, a Grumman G-164B (registration N48597) was involved in an aviation accident near Superior, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the delayed remedial action by the pilot, resulting in a stall. Factors to the accident included the aircraft’s low altitude and the pilot's lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aerial application airplane stalled during a climbing departure after takeoff. The pilot reported a tail vibration and uncontrolled descent, jettisoned the water load, and lowered the nose but was unable to recover, resulting in terrain impact.

Accident Summary

An aerial application airplane experienced a stall and subsequent terrain impact during a climbing departure after takeoff. The pilot reported feeling a vibration in the tail section, followed by an uncontrolled descent.

Pilot Actions

The pilot stated that he jettisoned the water load and lowered the aircraft's nose in an attempt to regain control. However, these corrective actions were unsuccessful, and the aircraft continued descending. The pilot noted that the airplane "kept coming down."

Pilot Experience

The pilot had accumulated less than one hour of total flight time in the accident make and model aircraft at the time of the incident.

Weather Conditions

The pilot indicated that the winds were light and variable but believed he encountered "bad air" and "lateral wind shear." A local weather observation taken around the time of the accident reported light and variable winds.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 May 2003 Grumman G-164B accident near Superior, NE?

An aerial application airplane stalled during a climbing departure after takeoff. The pilot reported a tail vibration and uncontrolled descent, jettisoned the water load, and lowered the nose but was unable to recover, resulting in terrain impact.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 May 2003 involved a Grumman G-164B, registration N48597, at Superior, NE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the delayed remedial action by the pilot, resulting in a stall. Factors to the accident included the aircraft’s low altitude and the pilot's lack of experience in the make/model of aircraft.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20030603X00769. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.