- Date
- July 21, 1994, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place
- Foules, LA
- Injuries
- 1 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N6617QSchweizer G-164B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 24, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940721018919A
- Case key
- 18914
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot had completed applying insecticide to the main area of the field and was 'trimming the field' when the airplane struck a power line. While trying to recover the pilot inadvertantly stalled the airplane and impacted the ground. The cockpit, hopper, and engine were consumed by a post crash fire.
Factual narrative
History of flight
On July 21, 1994, approximately 0915 central daylight time, a Schweizer AG-Cat G-164B, N6617Q, was destroyed while maneuvering near Foules, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.
According to a witness, the pilot had completed applying insecticide to the main area of a field and was "trimming the field" when the airplane struck a power line. The pilot applied power, the airplane executed a climb, then descended straight down "wing over wing" to ground impact.
Aircraft information
A review of the airframe and engine records did not reveal any anomalies or uncorrected maintenance defects.
Wreckage and impact information
The initial ground scar was on a measured heading of 070 degrees. The aircraft came to rest 5 feet to the left of the initial ground scar on a measured magnetic heading of 040 degrees. The cockpit, hopper, and engine were destroyed by a post impact fire.
A power line was found down 125 yards from the initial impact scar. A piece of the top left wing tip was found below the repaired power line. See enclosed wreckage diagram. The left diagonal strut top fitting had a gouge approximately the same diameter as the downed power line. The left top aileron outside of the diagonal strut top attaching fitting, had scraping and rub marks.
Examination of the airplane and engine did not disclose any mechanical problems. Due to the extent of damage, flight control continuity could not be established.
Medical and pathological information
The autopsy was performed by pathologist David R. Steckler, M.D. at the Natchez Medical Center, Natchez, Mississippi. Toxicological findings were negative.
Additional data
The wreckage was released to the owner.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6617Q
- Reported as
- Schweizer G-164B
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 146B
- Airframe hours
- 4,621
- Engine
- P&W R-1340-AN1, 600 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Braughton, Terry W.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 1, 1994 · 250 hours before
- Departed
- NONE · Ferriday, LA
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 9,700 total · 8,450 in this make and model · 150 in the last 90 days · 50 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.