# NTSB FTW95LA253: Grumman G-164A, N7937, Bigelow, AR, June 20, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1995, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Bigelow, AR
- Coordinates: 34.990356, -92.630546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9904&lon=-92.6305&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA253
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA253

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AERIAL APPLICATION AIRPLANE ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER HIGH TENSION WIRES PERPENDICULAR TO HIS FLIGHT PATH.  THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR IMPACTED A LEVEE AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER INTO A RICE FIELD COMING TO REST IN THE INVERTED POSITION.

## Factual narrative

On June 20, 1995, at 0630 central daylight time, a Grumman  G-164A was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Bigelow, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the aerial application flight.

According to the operator, the airplane's left main landing gear impacted a levee while attempting to fly under high tension wires perpendicular to his flight path.  The airplane came to rest inverted in a rice field, approximately a quarter of a mile from the initial point of ground impact.

The left main landing gear, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder were found separated from the airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7937](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7937-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 822, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (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: 822
- Airframe hours: 8401
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Donald E. Aukes
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1980, 80 hours before
- Departed: CONWAY, AR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 25 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 19950620049479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950620049479A), Jun 20, 1995: Scwzer G164A, Houston, AR, Substantial damage. (-16) The pilot stated he had been spraying and maneuvered under this powerline on previous runs. On this particular run he misjudged his clearance from rising…

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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