# NTSB CHI97LA150: Grumman G164, N474Y, Illinois City, IL, May 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 1997, 18:58 local (23:58 UTC) - Place: Illinois City, IL - Coordinates: 41.399559, -90.900817 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3996&lon=-90.9008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10580/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA150 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to see and maintain clearance from a static wire. The proximity of the wire was a related factor. ## 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 - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,static (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was conducting an agricultural spraying operation when the airplane hit a static wire at the top of a power line. The pilot was flying parallel to the power line during the spraying operation. Witnesses reported that the pilot began a pull up and left turn, when the airplane's left wing tip struck the static wire. Aircraft and engine examinations did not reveal any discrepancy. The pilot said that he failed to keep the power line foremost in his mind, and that he was looking past the wires to the far end of the pasture that he was spraying and did not see the wire that the airplane hit. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1997 at 1858 central daylight time (cdt), a Grumman G164, N474Y, was conducting agricultural spraying operations near Illinois City, Illinois, when the airplane hit a static wire, impacted with the terrain and then flipped inverted. The pilot was flying parallel to the power lines during the spraying operations. Witnesses reported that the pilot began a pull up and left turn, when the airplane's left wing tip struck the static line. The commercial rated pilot of the airplane was taken to a local hospital following the accident with serious back injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 agricultural flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The investigator in charge (IIC) contacted a local volunteer fire chief who had responded to the initial accident call. The fire chief was also a pilot and and he documented the accident site for the IIC. The first pieces of airplane he found in the wreckage path were pieces of left wing leading edge. These leading edge pieces were found very close to the powerlines. The distance from these first pieces to the main wreckage was approximately 130 yards. Just prior to the main wreckage there were ground scar marks which appeared to match the pattern of the airplane's landing gear. Both blades on the propeller were curled back, and one blade's leading edge was jagged along its leading edge. The fire chief believed that the jagged leading edge was caused by the propeller striking a wire. All flight controls appeared to be connected correctly. The cockpit engine controls were found with the throttle in a mid range position, the magnetos were in the both position, the propeller was full forward, and the mixture was full rich. Fuel was found in the airplane's left and center fuel tanks. Fuel was also found in the line which runs from the gascalator to the fuel valve. The fuel valve was found in a position between fuel tanks. The pilot of the airplane was contacted by telephone on June 12, 1997. The pilot of the accident aircraft reported to the IIC that there were no discrepancies with the airplane or the engine before the accident. The pilot said that he just did not see the wire which the airplane hit. The airplane's left wing struts were broken, the vertical fin, rudder and upper wing were crushed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N474Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N474Y-1998-10-28), registration cancelled 1998-10-28, S/N 119 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164 - Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 119 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Jp'S Agricair - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: C00, ALEDO, IL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,400 total, 580 in this make and model, 1,730 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MLI, 20 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 19970529015809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970529015809A), May 29, 1997: Scwzer G164, Illinois City, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) While conducting agriculture spraying operations, subject aircraft struck top static wire of power transmission wires. The force of the wire strike… 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.