# Accident 19970830024969A: Scwzer G164A, Muleshoe, TX, August 30, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 30, 1997, 11:10 local time
- Place: Muleshoe, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: Agricultural (Part 137)
- Location: 34.2192° N, 102.7205° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2192&lon=-102.7205&mi=10
- Aircraft: N9807, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9807-2013-03-21) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A (registry code 3952801, https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R1340 series (registry code 52016, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCWZER G164A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW97LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA336) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970830024969A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A COTTON FIELD DUEING AERIAL APPLICATION AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. (-23) ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1997, I ARRIVED AT THE CRASH SITE OF A GRUMMAN G-164A AIRPLANE, N9807, 16 MILES NORTHEAST OF MULESHOE, TEXAS. ON ARRIVAL I NOTICED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES HAD BEEN SPLICED BACK TOGETHER, A NEW POLE HAD BEEN SET, ALONG WITH A NEW CROSS ARM INSULATORS, AND A NEW TRANSFORMER.  I PROCEEDED INTO THE COTTON FIELD TO THE WRECKAGE AND TOOK PICTURES, SOME OF WHICH SHOW EVIDENCE OF TRANSMISSION WIRES IN THE WRECKAGE. UPON RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE ON THE ROAD ANOTHER VEHICLE DROVE UP. THE PERSON GOT OUT AND APPROACHED ME AND IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS THE PILOT OF THE WRECKED AIRCRAFT. I ASKED FOR HIS PILOT CERTIFICATE AND IDENTIFIED HIM AS CLIFFORD R. ASH, CERTIFICATE NUMBER 563647764. HE EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT HAPPENED -- THAT HE ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THE WIRES AND AT THAT TIME HE SAW A STANDPIPE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.  HE SAID HE DID HARD RIGHT AILERON AND HARD RIGHT RUDDER TO MISS THE STANDPIPE AND AT THAT POINT THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE WIRES, PULLING THEM DOWN ALONG WITH THE POLE.  THE AIRCRAFT CART-WHEEL                                                              ED AND CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM IMPACT WITH THE WIRES IN AN INVERTED POSITION.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW97LA336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA336), Aug 30, 1997: Grumman G-164A (N9807), Muleshoe, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to see the standpipe in time to avoid an accident (inadequate visual lookout), and his failure to maintain clearance with electrical wires, while maneuvering during an aerial…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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