# NTSB FTW90DPG09: Grumman G164A, N7864, Osceola, AR, August 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1990, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Osceola, AR
- Coordinates: 35.699752, -89.990036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6998&lon=-89.9900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22942
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPG09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22942/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPG09

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINES.

## 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 - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT FLYING OVER THE HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION CABLES PRIOR TO SWATH RUNS. THE TENTH PASS THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TWO CABLES. POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED MUCH OF THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7864](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7864-1991-10-17), registration cancelled 1991-10-17, S/N 1001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G164A
- 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: 1001
- Engines: P&W R985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Osceola Aerial Service
- Registered owner: Osceola Aerial Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 1990, 278 hours before
- Departed: 7M4, OSCEOLA, AR
- Airport: 7M4, Osceola

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,341 total, 3,559 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 30 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 19900816033189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900816033189A), Aug 16, 1990: Scwzer G164A, Osceola, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On tenth pass over high voltage powerline collided with top two cables. Crashed and burned. Pilot died in hospital.

## Other investigations on N7864 (2)

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 MKC87LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA144), Jul 17, 1987: Grumman G-164A (N7864), Forrest City, AR, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW81DPG42](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81DPG42), Jun 9, 1981: Grumman G-164A (N7864), Wilson, AR, substantial damage

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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