# NTSB CEN10CA402: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, N8260K, Independence, IA, July 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2010, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Independence, IA - Coordinates: 42.453609, -91.947776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4536&lon=-91.9478&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-DSM-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA402 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76644/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76644 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA402 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to pay attention to the power lines and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the corn field during the aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952802), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was making an aerial application pass at the south end of a field when the accident occurred. A 30-foot-tall power line ran north and south through the middle of the field. The pilot stated he was paying attention to the trees along the south end of the field during the pass when he realized that he was approaching the wires. He was unable to climb over the wires so he decided to fly under them. In doing so, the airplane contacted 7-foot-high corn and the airplane was pulled down into the field. Substantial damage resulted to the lower wings and the main landing gear mounting truss. ## Factual narrative The pilot was making a clean-up pass at the south end of a field during an aerial application flight when the accident occurred. A 30-foot tall power line ran north and south through the middle of the field. The pilot stated he was paying attention to the trees along the south end of the field during the pass when he realized that he was approaching the wires. He was unable to climb over the wires so he decided to fly under them. In doing so, the airplane contacted the corn which was 7 feet high and the airplane was pulled down into the field. Substantial damage resulted to the lower wings and the main landing gear mounting truss. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8260K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8260K), registered now, S/N 639B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 639B - Airframe hours: 10003 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6-20 550 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hoppe Airspay LLC - Registered owner: Hoppe Airspay LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: IIB, Independence, IA - Destination: IIB, Independence, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 9,750 total, 150 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: ALO, 24 nm away ## 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 20100713038679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100713038679A), Jul 13, 2010: Grumman Acf G-164B, Independence, IA, Substantial damage. While conducting aerial spray operations, the pilot saw high tension wires and attempted to fly under the wires to avoid a wire strike. The aircraft struck the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76644. 945 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 945 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.