# NTSB CEN12CA544: Schweizer, N36289 G-164B, N36289, Kaplan, LA, August 15, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 15, 2012, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Kaplan, LA
- Coordinates: 30, -92.26667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0000&lon=-92.2667&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 84686
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA544
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84686/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84686
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA544

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during the aerial application flight.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059055), [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: [Schweizer G-164B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting an aerial application flight at the time of the accident. During the spray application, the airplane struck a power line. The airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. A postaccident examination of the wreckage found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

According to the operator's accident report, the pilot was conducting an aerial application flight on a field about 3-1/2 miles from the airstrip. He had previously dispersed 4 loads of fertilizer on the field. During the application of the fifth load, the airplane struck an 80 to 90 foot-tall power line. The airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. Photographs taken at the accident site revealed no markers on the power line. An FAA inspector found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal aircraft operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N36289](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36289-2013-04-15), registration cancelled 2013-04-15, S/N 746B, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Schweizer, N36289 G-164B
- Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 746B
- Airframe hours: 11171
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-28 680 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Vincent Flying Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Vincent Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 2012
- Departed: NONE, Kaplan, LA
- Destination: NONE, Kaplan, LA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 7,000 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 20120815019999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120815019999A), Aug 15, 2012: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, Kaplan, LA, Destroyed. Aircraft was maneuvering to make it's final pass on an agricultural field when the landing gear struck the top utility wire approximately 100 ft AGL and…

## Other investigations on N36289 (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 DFW08LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08LA089), Mar 28, 2008: Schweizer G-164B (N36289), Abbeville, LA, minor damage. Probable cause: The failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other approaching airplane. A contributing factor was the close proximity between the two private airstrips.

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84686. 6.9 MB in all.

- NTSB Form 6120, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 784 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378977&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF
- Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Struck powerline (note drooping wire) and inverted airplane in background (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Struck%20powerline%20(note%20drooping%20wire)%20and%20inverted%20airplane%20in%20background-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Wreckage with propeller in foreground (item 5, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376375&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wreckage%20with%20propeller%20in%20foreground-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - Rear of inverted airplane with struck powerline in background (item 6, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Rear%20of%20inverted%20airplane%20with%20struck%20powerline%20in%20background-Master.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.

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