# NTSB CEN10CA553: Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C Gulfstream AM G-164B, N8157K, Blessing, TX, September 21, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2010, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Blessing, TX - Coordinates: 28.906944, -96.1725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9069&lon=-96.1725&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77369 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA553 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77369/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77369 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA553 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires while maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/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: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight over a cotton field. While applying the load, the pilot lost awareness of his proximity to obstacles and the airplane collided with a transmission wire. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical fin and rudder, and the pilot subsequently lost control of the airplane. The airplane then impacted a small body of water. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was flying an aerial application flight to a cotton field. While applying the applicant, the pilot lost awareness of his proximity to obstacles and collided with a transmission wire. The wire damaged the airplane's vertical fin and rudder, and the pilot subsequently lost control of the airplane. The airplane then impacted a small body of water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8157K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8157K), registered now, S/N 591B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM-SCHWEIZER A/C CORP GULFSTREAM AM G-164B - Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 591B - Airframe hours: 8357 - Engines: P&W PT6A-34 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Fehmel Planes Inc, doing business as Fehmel Planes Inc - Registered owner: Fehmel Planes Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2010 - Departed: T84, BAY CITY, TX - Destination: T84, BAY CITY, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 25,000 total, 25,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg ## 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 20100921051419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100921051419A), Sep 21, 2010: Gulfstream- GULFSTREAM, Midfield, TX, Substantial damage. From witness accounts and observations it was determined that the pilot struck a power lines while performing an agricultural application severely damaging the… ## Other investigations on N8157K (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 FTW92DRA03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92DRA03), Jun 20, 1992: Schweizer G-164B (N8157K), Bay City, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO INITIATE A CLIMB DUE TO EXCEEDING THE TAKEOFF CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE HIGH GRASS ON THE AIRSTRIP. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77369. 597 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337849&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.