# NTSB FTW99LA252: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A, N7362, Seminole, TX, September 3, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1999, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Seminole, TX - Coordinates: 32.709625, -102.649238 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7096&lon=-102.6492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47283/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA252 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with powerlines. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention to the light bar for the electronic swath guidance system installed in the airplane. ## 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 (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The agricultural airplane collided with powerlines while approaching the field being sprayed for the 12th application pass. The pilot reported that the airplane was on a southerly heading when it collided with the two top guide wires of the east-west powerline. The airplane spun to the right and impacted the ground inverted after the collision with the wires. The pilot stated that he was concentrating his attentions on the light bar for the SatLoc swath guidance system installed on the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 3, 1999, at 1545 central daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A agricultural airplane, N7362, was destroyed following impact with powerlines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight near Seminole, Texas. The instrument rated commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to Hatfield Spraying Service , Inc., of Nunica, Michigan, and operated by J.R. Davis Flying Service, of Seminole, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from a private airstrip near Seagraves, Texas, at approximately 1535. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, that the purpose of the flight was to dispense chemicals on a section of land west of Seminole, as part of the boll weevil eradication program. During the 12th application pass, while approaching the field on a southerly heading, the airplane collided with the two top guide wires of a power transmission line running in a east-west direction. The pilot stated that he was aware of the presence of the unmarked powerlines. He added that there were a total of 8 cables suspended between the towers. The top two wires, which were suspended approximately 80 to 90 feet above the ground, were much thinner and not as dark as the other 6 cables. The pilot further reported that following the impact with the guide wires, the airplane spun to the right and impacted the ground inverted. The pilot, who was wearing a flight helmet with a visor, exited the airplane on his own. A post-impact fire destroyed the radial engine powered biplane. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the airplane's windscreen was clear and clean. He stated that he was wearing his eyeglasses under the visor. He also told the IIC that he had flown 100 to 120 hours in the preceding 2 weeks; however, he did not feel tired or fatigued. The pilot admitted that his attention was diverted to the light bar for the SatLoc swath guidance system installed in the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7362](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7362-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 931, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman-Schweizer G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 931 - Airframe hours: 12500 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: J.R. Davis Flying Service - Registered owner: Hatfield Spraying Service Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 1999, 123 hours before - Departed: E39, SEAGRAVES, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,200 total, 800 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 12 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HOB, 35 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 19990903047229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990903047229A), Sep 3, 1999: Scwzer G164A, Seminole, TX, Destroyed. (.4) The agricultural airplane collided with powerlines while approaching the field being sprayed for the 12th application pass. The pilot reported that the… ## Other investigations on N7362 (1) 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. - [NTSB ATL96LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA116), Aug 2, 1996: Grumman G-164A (N7362), Mayersville, MS, substantial damage. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance from an object (vehicle) on the ground. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.