FTW93LA167

During aerial application 0PERATIONS the pilot attempted to fly under some electrical power lines when his right wing contacted a static line. Following the wire contact the right wing strut collapsed, the right wing folded upward and the airplane rolled left and climbed to 200 feet above ground level. The airplane descended from 200 feet in a near vertical descent and impacted the ground.

On May 26, 1993, at approximately 0930 central daylight time, a Grumman G 164B, N8405K, was destroyed upon ground impact after an in flight collision with wires while maneuvering during an aerial application operation near Stuttgart, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight.

The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he was maneuvering under a power line when his airplane came into contact with a static wire. He further reported in a written statement that when he contacted the wire with the upper right wing it cut the wing strut causing "the wing to raise up." He stated that control was lost after contact resulting in a an uncontrolled ascent, "climbing roll to the left," to 200 feet above ground level (AGL). He reported that after reaching 200 feet AGL the airplane "rolled into a steep spiral downward and impacted near vertical."

The airplane was released to the owner.