# NTSB CHI88DEV02: Grumman G-164A, N677U, Cape Girardeau, IL, July 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1988, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Cape Girardeau, IL
- Coordinates: 39.43999, -89.78025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4400&lon=-89.7802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEV02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEV02

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS APPLYING CHEMICALS TO A FIELD WITH 3 RADIO TRANSMISSION TOWERS ALONG ONE SIDE. HE RPRTD THAT AS HE WAS FINISHING THE FIELD, HE CIRCLED ONE OF THE TOWERS, THEM MADE A FINAL SWATH RUN ACROSS THE END OF THE FIELD. HE STATED THAT AS HE PULLED UP FROM THE SWATH RUN, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE 360 DEG TURN THAT HE HAD JUST MADE AROUND THE TOWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BANKED TO THE RIGHT & COLLIDED WITH TWO OF THE UPPER GUY WIRES, DAMAGING THE RIGHT WING TIPS & PROP. THE WIRE STRIKE DAMAGED THE AILERON SYSTEM, SO THE PLT MADE A POWER OFF FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD, WHERE THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N677U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N677U-1989-06-02), registration cancelled 1989-06-02, S/N 416 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 419
- Airframe hours: 6400
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Thomas Beeson, doing business as Cecil Beeson
- Registered owner: Cecil T Beesom DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1988, 300 hours before
- Departed: NONE, SIKESTON, MO
- Destination: CGI, CAPE GIRARDEAU, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 12,506 total, 11,500 in this make and model, 12,484 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880718035949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880718035949A), Jul 18, 1988: Scwzer G164A, E Capegirardeau, IL, Substantial damage. Right wing hit a radio tower guy wire. Out of control, landed in a muddy field and aircraft flipped over.

## Other investigations on N677U (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MKC81DCA20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCA20), Jul 25, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N677U), Fagus, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW75FRD55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FRD55), May 20, 1975: Grumman G-164A (N677U), Iota, LA, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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