# NTSB CHI94LA292: Grumman G-164A, N8971H, Clifton, IL, August 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 22, 1994, 19:33 local (Aug 23, 1994, 00:33 UTC) - Place: Clifton, IL - Location: 40.9347° N, 87.9343° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clifton, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9347&lon=-87.9343&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA292 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9648/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA292 ## Probable cause the pilots failure to keep visual contact with and to avoid unmarked powerlines adjacent to the crop field he was spraying. ## 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 - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION AIRPLANE WAS MAKING AN APPLICATION TURN WHEN IT STRUCK UNMARKED BUT KNOWN WIRES. THE PILOT EGRESSED THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY POST-CRASH FIRE. NO MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY WAS NOTED BY THE PILOT, NOR FOUND DURING POST CRASH INSPECTION. ## Factual narrative On August 22, 1994, at 1933 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, operated by Benoit Aerial Spraying of Kankakee, Illinois, as an agricultural aircraft, impacted powerlines 2 miles east of Clifton, Illinois, during aerial application and was destroyed. The commercially certificated pilot received minor injuries, egressed the airplane without assistance, the on board chemicals were spilled, and a post crash fire occurred. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137 and had originated from a private strip near Kankakee, Illinois. The pilot stated that he contacted the known but unmarked powerlines during an application turn. He did not indicate, nor were any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies noted during the investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8971H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8971H-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 1600, built 1975 (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: 1413 - Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Benoit Aerial Spraying, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PVT, BENOIT STRIP, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 10,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CMI, 35 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 19940822022709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940822022709A), Aug 22, 1994: Scwzer G164A, Clifton, IL, Destroyed. Contacted know power line during a procedure spray turn. Crashed and burned. ## Other investigations on N8971H (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW81FRA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRA25), Apr 27, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N8971H), Rosharon, TX, destroyed 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.