# NTSB CEN16CA277: Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G 164A, N7997, Topeka, KS, July 21, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2016, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: Topeka, KS - Coordinates: 39.062778, -95.584442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0628&lon=-95.5844&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 January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 93656 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93656/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93656 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16CA277 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural flight. ## 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: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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-164A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis On his ninth spray pass, the pilot stated that he did not maintain adequate clearance above a wire near the edge of the field. He attempted an evasive climb after noticing the wire, but was unsuccessful, and the airplane contacted the wire. Following the wire strike, the pilot was able to recover the airplane and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Factual narrative On his ninth spray pass, the pilot stated that he did not maintain adequate clearance above a wire near the edge of the field. He attempted an evasive climb after noticing the wire, but was unsuccessful, and the airplane contacted the wire. Following the wire strike, the pilot was able to recover the airplane and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7997](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7997-2018-02-14), registration cancelled 2018-02-14, S/N 858, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G 164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 858 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 8000 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Hunninghake Aerial Spraying LLC, doing business as Hunninghale Aerial Spraying - Registered owner: Hunninghake Aerial Spraying LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 23, 2016, 20 hours before - Departed: 62K, Seneca, KS - Destination: 62K, Seneca, KS - Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 30, 2016; seat: center; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 750 total, 135 in this make and model, 720 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KTOP, 3 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 20160721011379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160721011379A), Jul 21, 2016: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Topeka, KS, Substantial damage. On July 21, 2016 at approximately 0700 local time (1200 UTC), the airman, holder of a commercial pilot?s certificate, was involved in an aircraft accident… ## Other investigations on N7997 (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 SEA85LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA132), Jun 9, 1985: Grumman G-164A (N7997), Kendrick, ID, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93656. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447138&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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. --- 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.