# NTSB DEN93LA076: Grumman G-164A, N9680, Kaplan, LA, July 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1993, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Kaplan, LA
- Coordinates: 30.000757, -92.280151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0008&lon=-92.2802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11092
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11092/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA076

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE SPRAY RIG WHICH SPRAYED CHEMICALS INTO THE PILOT'S EYES TEMPORARILY BLINDING HIM.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - spray/dusting equipment - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - fence
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE SPRAYING A FLOODED FIELD, THE SPRAY RIG FAILED AND SPRAYED  CHEMICALS INTO THE PILOT'S FACE, TEMPORARILY BLINDING HIM.  THE  AIRCRAFT DESCENDED AND HIT A FENCE, FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES, AND  CAME TO REST INVERTED.

## Factual narrative

On July 12, 1993, at approximately 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N9680, struck a fence while conducting aerial application near Kaplan, Louisiana.  The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The flight, which departed Kaplan at 0930, was operating under 14 CFR Part 137 when the accident occurred.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he was spraying flooded rice fields when the spray rig failed and sprayed pesticide in his face.  Unable to see, the aircraft descended, hit a fence, flipped several times, and came to rest upside down.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9680](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9680-1997-04-01), registration cancelled 1997-04-01, S/N 1199 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1199
- Airframe hours: 1388
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Hanks Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 31, 1993, 184 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LFT, 25 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 19930712023149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930712023149A), Jul 12, 1993: Scwzer G164A, Kaplan, LA, Substantial damage. Spraying flooded field spray rig failed. Sprayed pilots face blinding him. Descended. Hit a fence. Flipped over.

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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