Incident Overview
A Grumman G-164 agricultural aircraft crashed into the backyard of a residence in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, after the pilot encountered a strong downdraft during a turning maneuver. The pilot, who was uninjured, had been conducting a spraying operation using microflex fertilizer. No one on the ground was hurt, and the home suffered only minor damage.
Flight Details
The pilot departed from Lajas Agriculture Airport at approximately 7 a.m., heading northeast. The aircraft was loaded with microflex fertilizer for application on a private farm in Sabana Grande. The pilot completed an initial spraying run over the target area successfully. As he initiated his first procedure turn, he experienced a powerful downdraft on the leeward side of a mountain. Despite his efforts, the pilot could not recover from the downdraft, and the airplane lost altitude, eventually crashing into the backyard of a private home. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft or its systems prior to the accident.
Weather and Operational Conditions
The pilot reported that the weather was suitable for visual flight rules (VFR) operations. Winds were from the north, and the temperature was 30 degrees Celsius. No further weather details were provided.
Post-Accident Examination
An FAA inspector responded to the accident site. The inspector noted that the airplane impacted the ground in a vertical, flat attitude with no forward motion. The aircraft came to rest in the backyard of the residence.