# NTSB CHI94LA162: Grumman G-164A, N7368, Alexandria, NE, May 4, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1994, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, NE
- Coordinates: 40.250762, -97.550361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2508&lon=-97.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH WIRES.

## 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)

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH WIRES WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A SPRAY APPLICATION.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO FLY THE AIRPLANE BACK TO HIS DEPARTURE POINT AFTER THE IMPACT.  THE PILOT STATED HE LOST SIGHT OF THE WIRES WHILE MAKING A SPRAY RUN WHEN HE BECAME PREOCCUPIED WITH THE ROLLING TERRAIN. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On May 4, 1994, about 0830 central daylight time, a Grumman     G-164A agricultural airplane, N7368, was substantially damaged when it collided with wires while maneuvering for a spray application near Hebron, Nebraska.  The private pilot, who was not injured, was able to fly the airplane back to Belvidere, Nebraska, where the flight originated.  The flight was operated in visual meteorological conditions without flight plan under 14 CFR Part 137.

The pilot stated he lost sight of the wires while making a spray run when he became preoccupied with the rolling terrain.  No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7368](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7368), registered now, S/N 937, 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: 937
- Airframe hours: 7000
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Davenport Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Davenport Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1994, 25 hours before
- Departed: NON, BELVIDERE, NE
- Destination: HJH, HEBRON, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19940504016009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940504016009A), May 4, 1994: Scwzer G164A, Hebron, NE, Substantial damage. Struck wires during spray procedure turn remained airborne. Returned to base.

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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