# NTSB DFW07CA131: Grumman G-164A, N48613, Okarche, OK, June 9, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 9, 2007, 10:05 local (15:05 UTC)
- Place: Okarche, OK
- Coordinates: 35.724445, -97.974998
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7244&lon=-97.9750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65943
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65943/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA131

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an unmarked light fixture.

## 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
  - object - utility pole
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The agricultural biplane collided with an unmarked pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.  The 9,500-hour commercial pilot reported that he had been contracted to spray an empty cattle feedlot that had not been used for some time to eradicate weeds.  During the last application pass, while attempting to clean-up a stockpile of dirt, the pilot failed to see a wooden pole with a light fixture located about 50 to 100 feet beyond the dirt stockpile.  The underside of the right lower wing made contact with the light fixture on a pole.  The pilot added that the fuel system was not compromised and he was able to fly the agricultural airplane to his home-base airport located approximately 8 miles west of the accident site.  The operator confirmed that the pole was masked by the lack of visual contrast.  Examination of the right lower wing revealed structural damage to the front wing spar.

## Factual narrative

The agricultural biplane collided with an unmarked pole while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.  The 9,500-hour commercial pilot reported that he had been contracted to spray an empty cattle feedlot that had not been used for some time to eradicate weeds.  During the last application pass, while attempting to clean-up a stockpile of dirt, the pilot failed to see a wooden pole with a light fixture located about 50 to 100 feet beyond the dirt stockpile.  The underside of the right lower wing made contact with the light fixture on a pole.  The pilot added that the fuel system was not compromised and he was able to fly the agricultural airplane to his home-base airport located approximately 8 miles west of the accident site.  The operator confirmed that the pole was masked by the lack of visual contrast.  Examination of the right lower wing revealed structural damage to the front wing spar.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48613](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48613), registered now, S/N 1682, built 1976 (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: 1682
- Airframe hours: 5182.4
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R985A 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Kelly P. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007, 90 hours before
- Departed: Okarche, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: single; flight hours: 9,500 total, 4,800 in this make and model, 9,250 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °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 20070609010799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070609010799A), Jun 9, 2007: Scwzer G164A, Okarche, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] while conducting weed control (spraying operation) at a feed lot (stockyard) located 8 miles east of Okarche, OK the outboard…

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.