- Date
- May 30, 1993, 10:54 local (15:54 UTC)
- Place
- Liberal, KS
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N8385Grumman G-164A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report August 17, 1994
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930530015689A
- Case key
- 9133
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines. A factor related to the accident were the powerlines which were contacted during the aerial application operation.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The commercial pilot was completing a final pass after aerial application when the airplane contacted wires at the end of a field, rolled inverted and collided with terrain. No airplane or engine anomolies were discovered.
Factual narrative
History of flight
On April 16, 1993, at 1054 central daylight time, a Grumman AG CAT G-164A, N8385, owned and operated by Floyd Aviation of Liberal, Kansas, collided with powerlines, impacted terrain and was destroyed. The airplane was partially consumed by post- impact fire. The commercially rated pilot received fatal injuries. After completing several passes over a field 11 miles northeast of Liberal, Kansas, the airplane was observed by ground personnel impacting powerlines and coming to rest inverted. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. No flight plan was on file. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The flight originated at Liberal, Kansas, time unknown.
Personal information
The 46 year old pilot held a commercial pilot's certificate number 512503564 with privileges for single engine flight. He had approximately 1,700 total hours at the time of the accident. He held a second class medical certificate issued April 19, 1993, with no limitations. His most recent experience and biennial flight reviews are unknown.
Aircraft information
The airplane was a Grumman G-164A AG CAT, N8385, serial number 878. The airplane had accumulated 3,970 total hours at the time of the accident. The most recent annual inspection was completed March 24, 1993.
Wreckage and impact information
The airplane came to rest inverted and was partially consumed by post-impact fire. Eight powerline poles were damaged, and one powerline was broken. The airplane landing gear displayed wire imprints and rubber residue was found on the wires. Both propeller blades were bent forward. There was no damage to the spinner. The bottom of the airplane had no dirt on it. Ground scars were a few feet long. The top of the fuselage was extensively damaged.
Medical and pathological information
A post mortem examination autopsy of the pilot revealed fatal injuries to the head and spine. No indication of post-impact smoke inhalation existed. Toxicology results were negative. Extensive post mortem thermal injuries existed.
Fire
A post impact fire destroyed the fuselage and cockpit area. No indications of pre-impact fire was discovered.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8385
- Reported as
- Grumman G-164A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 878
- Airframe hours
- 3,970
- Engine
- P&W R-985, 450 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- James R. Floyd, doing business as Floyd Aviation
- Registered owner
- James R. Floyd
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 24, 1993
- Airport
- LBL · Liberal Muni
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,700 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LBL, 11 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.