# NTSB DEN08LA077: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8237K, Angleton, TX, April 16, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 2008, 06:40 local (11:40 UTC) - Place: Angleton, TX - Coordinates: 29.177221, -95.435554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1772&lon=-95.4356&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and his failure to maintain clearance from the tranmission lines. A factor in this accident was the unmarked transmission wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3979904), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was spraying a herbicide on a rice field. He pulled up to make a turn and reverse direction to making another pass when the airplane struck two wires at the top of unmarked transmission lines. The airplane crossed a highway and impacted into an adjacent field, destroying the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 2008, approximately 0640 central daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8237K, piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it struck power lines and impacted terrain while maneuvering near Angleton, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aerial applications flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137 without a flight plan. The pilot, the sole occupant aboard, sustained minor injuries. The local flight originated at Danbury, Texas, approximately 0635. According to the pilot's accident report, he was spraying a herbicide on a rice field. He pulled up to make a turn and reverse direction to making another pass and the airplane struck two ground wires at the top of unmarked transmission lines. The airplane crossed a highway and impacted into an adjacent field. The airplane was destroyed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8237K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8237K-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 626-B, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 626B - Airframe hours: 7030 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Garrett Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2008, 40 hours before - Departed: 77XS, Danbury, TX - Destination: 77XS - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: center; flight hours: 23,020 total, 20,000 in this make and model, 22,800 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: HOU, 47 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 20080416831809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080416831809A), Apr 16, 2008: Scwzer G164B, Rosharon, TX, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was conducting aerial spraying of herbicide on rice field near Rosharon, TX. Witness and pilot report that after executing turn back towards field,… 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.