# NTSB CHI05LA211: Grumman G-164A, N6858Q, Buchanan, ND, August 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2005, 07:40 local (12:40 UTC) - Place: Buchanan, ND - Coordinates: 47.104721, -98.842498 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1047&lon=-98.8425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Fargo FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62295 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA211 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62295/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA211 ## Probable cause The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the power lines. Factors included the glare on the windshield and the power lines. ## 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 - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground - Fire, standing ## Analysis The agricultural spray airplane was destroyed by post impact fire after it hit a power line and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that he had sprayed one cornfield and was starting to spray another 20-acre cornfield. He reported that he flew over the field and observed power lines. He reported that he had sprayed the same cornfield the year before and had flown under the power lines without incident. He made one pass flying east, and then another pass flying west. He reported that during the third pass flying to the east, the airplane struck the wires. He reported that his vision was obstructed by glare on the windshield. The airplane impacted the ground and caught on fire. The pilot was able to exit the airplane before it was consumed by fire. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane prior to the impact with the wires. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2005, at 0740 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N6858Q, was destroyed by post impact fire after the airplane hit a power line and impacted the terrain near Buchanan, North Dakota. The commercial pilot received serious injuries. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight departed from a private airstrip at 0700 on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had sprayed one cornfield and was starting to spray another 20-acre cornfield. He reported that he flew over the field and observed power lines. He reported that he had sprayed the same cornfield the year before and had flown under the power lines without incident. He made one pass flying east, and then another pass flying west. He reported that during the third pass flying to the east, the airplane struck the wires. He reported his vision was obstructed by glare on the windshield. The airplane impacted the ground and caught on fire. The pilot was able to exit the airplane before it was consumed by fire. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane prior to the impact with the wires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6858Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6858Q-2007-01-23), registration cancelled 2007-01-23, S/N 1723, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman 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) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1723 - Airframe hours: 2797 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R 985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Robert Sprague - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2004, 381 hours before - Departed: Courtenay, ND - Destination: Courtenay, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; last flight review April 1, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 2,170 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,145 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: JMS, 15 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 20050804024669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050804024669A), Aug 4, 2005: Scwzer G164A, Buchanan, ND, Destroyed. (-23) Witnesses indicated the aircraft arrived at a field of corn to be sprayed at approximately 0745. The aircraft made a circuit of the field and then made… 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.