# NTSB FTW93LA172: Grumman G-164B, N48659, Walnut Ridge, AR, June 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1993, 06:40 local (11:40 UTC)
- Place: Walnut Ridge, AR
- Coordinates: 36.059005, -90.949989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0590&lon=-90.9500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE AGRICULTURAL AIRPLANE IMPACTED POWERLINES AFTER REVERSING DIRECTION TO COMPLETE THE LAST SWATH RUN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD BEEN SPRAYING THE SAME FIELD FOR THE LAST TWENTY YEARS AND WAS WELL AWARE OF THE LOCATION OF THE POWERLINES.

## Factual narrative

On June 2, 1993, at approximately 0640 central daylight time, a Grumman G-164B airplane, N48659, was destroyed upon impact with wires and terrain while maneuvering near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

According to a relative of the operator, the airplane departed the Hicks Airstrip, near Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, with a load of pesticides earlier that morning. It was reported to him, that after reversing direction upon completion of the last pass, the airplane struck powerlines running across the perimeter of the field being sprayed. The pilot reported that he had been spraying this fiels for the last twienty years and was aware of the location of the powerlines.

The pilot suffered serious back injuries and did not complete NTSB Form 6120.1/2. No maintenance anomalies were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

The wreckage was verbally released to the owner's representative by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at the accident site.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48659](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N48659), registered now, S/N 104B, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (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: 1048
- Airframe hours: 5100
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Hicks Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 11,000 total, 7,800 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ARG, 12 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 19930602019039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930602019039A), Jun 2, 1993: Scwzer G164B, Walnut Ridge, AR, Destroyed. Struck power line during rollout from procedure turn. Sprayed field prior 20 yrs. Well aware of powerline.

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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