# NTSB CHI04CA151: Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N48517, Hope, ND, June 10, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2004, 07:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Hope, ND
- Coordinates: 47.328334, -97.678337
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3283&lon=-97.6783&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Fargo FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 59455
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04CA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59455/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04CA151

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tree branches during the aerial-application flight.  A factor to the accident was the trees.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The airplane impacted tree branches while performing an aerial application flight.  The pilot reported the left wing tip impacted tree branches during the spray-run, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.  The pilot stated that an uneventful landing was made after dispensing the remainder of his chemical load.

## Factual narrative

On June 10, 2004, at 0700 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164B, N48517, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with tree branches while performing aerial application near Hope, North Dakota.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The aerial application flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan.  The pilot was not injured.  The local flight departed the Hashbarger Farm Airstrip (8NA9), Hope, North Dakota.

According to the pilot's written statement, the accident transpired during the first spray-run of the day.  The pilot reported the left wing tip impacted tree branches during the spray-run, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.  The pilot stated that an uneventful landing was made after dispensing the remainder of his chemical load.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48517](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48517-2024-06-01), registration cancelled 2024-06-01, S/N 58B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman-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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 58B
- Airframe hours: 7700
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Neil S. Hashbarger
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2003, 65 hours before
- Departed: 8NA9, Hope, ND
- Destination: 8NA9

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 21, 2003; seat: center; flight hours: 650 total, 425 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: RDR, 40 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 20040610016759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040610016759A), Jun 10, 2004: Scwzer G164B, Hope, ND, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft contacted a tree branch while spraying along a shelter belt causing substantial damage to the left wing of the aircraft. Pilot stated that the…

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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