# NTSB CHI93DCQ01: Grumman G-164A, N8385, Liberal, KS, May 30, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report - Date: May 30, 1993, 10:54 local (15:54 UTC) - Place: Liberal, KS - Coordinates: 37.039012, -100.930168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0390&lon=-100.9302&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9133 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DCQ01 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9133/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DCQ01 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8385-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 878, built 1972 (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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 878 - Airframe hours: 3970 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19930530015689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930530015689A), May 30, 1993: Scwzer G164A, Liberal, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck top powerline wires on pullup from a spray run. Impacted ground vertically and burned. 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.