# NTSB FTW97LA276: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, N8031K, Palestine, AR, July 21, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1997, 08:38 local (13:38 UTC)
- Place: Palestine, AR
- Coordinates: 34.970581, -90.899307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9706&lon=-90.8993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 14, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20287
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20287/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA276

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the wire transmission line due to his diverted attention.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot was applying chemical to a bean field and was 'attempting to trim up around the edges' when the airplane struck power lines.  The pilot reported that he diverted his attention by looking at some grain bins at the time of the impact.  During impact with the wires, the airplane caught on fire, and following a forced landing was destroyed by fire.

## Factual narrative

On July 21, 1997, at 0838 central daylight time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B airplane, N8031K, registered to and operated by Racer Ag Service, was destroyed following an in-flight collision with a power line while maneuvering near Palestine, Arkansas.  The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, and a flight plan was not filed.

The pilot stated that he was applying chemical to a bean field and was "attempting to trim up around the edges" when the airplane struck power lines.  The pilot reported that he diverted his attention by looking at some grain bins at the time of the impact.  During impact with the wires, the airplane caught on fire, and following a forced landing was destroyed by fire.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8031K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8031K-1998-12-09), registration cancelled 1998-12-09, S/N 544B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 544B
- Airframe hours: 5800
- Engines: P&W PT61-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Gary Michaelis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 1997, 200 hours before
- Departed: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 225 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 77 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 45 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 19970721019159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970721019159A), Jul 21, 1997: Scwzer G164B, Palestine, AR, Destroyed. Aircraft struck powerlines during aerial application and crashed into a field. (-23) gulfstream-schweizer G-164B, N8031K, was destroyed following an in-flight…

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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