BAKERSFIELD, CA, USA
N8507H
GRUMMAN G-164A
DURING THE LAST APPLICATION OF SULFUR DUST TO A FIELD, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE IN THE SPREADER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND NOSED OVER. ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE SULFUR DUST HAD A SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION DUE TO THE HIGH AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE.
On June 11, 1994, at 0925 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N8507H, collided with terrain 5 miles west of Bakersfield, California. The aircraft was operated by Vince Crop Dusters I, Buttonwillow, California, and was engaged in aerial application operations. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the certificated airline transport pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and the airplane was being operated under visual flight rules. In a telephone interview, the operator stated that the pilot was spraying the field with sulfur dust when he encountered an in-flight fire. The pilot landed in a field and flipped over. The operator indicated that spontaneous combustion of the sulfur had occurred due to high temperatures. In his report, the pilot stated the dust caught fire in the spreader in an explosion like condition. The pilot indicated no mechanical malfunction or failure.
THE IN-FLIGHT FIRE DUE TO THE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION OF SULFUR DUST AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH TEMPERATURE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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