# NTSB FTW92LA123: Grumman G164, N468RF, Bayside, TX, April 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1992, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bayside, TX
- Coordinates: 28.090705, -97.210098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0907&lon=-97.2101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA123

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - guy wire
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL PILOT WAS MANEUVERING HIS AIRPLANE TO SET UP TO SPRAY A COTTON FIELD WHEN HE STRUCK A GUY WIRE ON A RADIO TOWER. HE HAD NOT SEEN THE TOWER DURING THE LEFT TURNING MANEUVER. HE DID SEE THE GUY WIRE WHEN HE ROLLED THE AIRPLANE LEVEL AND COULD NOT AVOID IT. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N468RF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N468RF-1995-05-03), registration cancelled 1995-05-03, S/N 213 (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: 213
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Perez, Patrick & Dena
- Registered owner: Perez, Patrick & Dena
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 50 hours before
- Departed: RFG, REFUGIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 16,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 15,500 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 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 19920430012259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920430012259A), Apr 30, 1992: Scwzer G164, Bayside, TX, Destroyed. Struck radio tower guy wire while maneuver to spray cotton. Not known if pilot surveyed area prior to ag flight.

## Other investigations on N468RF (5)

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 FTW74DRD01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DRD01), Jul 16, 1973: Grumman G-164 (N468RF), Lake Arthur, LA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW71FRD52](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71FRD52), Jun 9, 1971: Grumman G-164 (N468RF), Perry, LA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW70F0240](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70F0240), Sep 17, 1969: Grumman G-164 (N468RF), Spur, TX, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW69F0346](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW69F0346), Aug 17, 1968: Grumman G-164 (N468RF), Jeanerette, LA, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW67F0027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0027), Apr 29, 1966: Grumman G164 (N468RF), Abbeville, LA, 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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