# NTSB BFO88DIG03: Grumman G-164A, N4327, Sleepy Creek, MD, May 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1988, 09:10 local (14:10 UTC)
- Place: Sleepy Creek, MD
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88DIG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88DIG03

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT THE AIRPLANE STRUCK AND SEVERED THREE POWER LINES. THE PILOT STATED HE DID NOT SEE THE LINES UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THE AIRPLANE CAUGHT FIRE AND CONTINUED ON ITS FLIGHT PATH CROSSING A HIGHWAY AND A RIVER. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED A 25 TO 30 FOOT TALL TREE LINE AND CAME TO REST IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4327](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4327-1990-03-14), registration cancelled 1990-03-14, S/N 1040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1040
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Agri-Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: HGR, HAGERSTOWN, MD
- Destination: HGR, HANCOCK, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,300 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880526052729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880526052729A), May 26, 1988: Scwzer G164A, Sleepy Creek, MD, Destroyed. Struck wires during a spray run continue flight into TREE4S crossed hiway and a river before ground imapct. Burned.

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.

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