# NTSB GAA15CA266: Schweizer G 164B, N3628Z, Paxton, NE, September 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 16, 2015, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Paxton, NE - Coordinates: 41.098609, -101.344444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0986&lon=-101.3444&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA266 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate distance from a power line during low altitude flight operations, which resulted in an impact with the power line, and subsequent impact with the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01030000): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01030000/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 72 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01030000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=8059055), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight, he was making spray passes under a power line. During the last pass, the left wing of the airplane struck the power line, and the airplane descended and impacted the ground. The pilot exited the airplane, and a postcrash fire ensued. The pilot reported that he believed he encountered a dust devil which caused the left wing to rise and contact the power line. About the time of the accident, a nearby weather reporting station was reporting, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit and wind from 120 degrees true at 4 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during an agricultural application flight, he was making spray passes under a power line. During the last pass, the left wing of the airplane struck the power line, and the airplane descended and impacted the ground. The pilot exited the airplane, and a postcrash fire ensued. The pilot reported that he believed he encountered a dust devil which caused the left wing to rise and contact the power line. About the time of the accident, a nearby weather reporting station was reporting, temperature 90 degrees Fahrenheit and wind from 120 degrees true at 4 knots. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3628Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3628Z), registered now, S/N 738B, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT CORP G 164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 738B - Year built: 1984 - Airframe hours: 3650 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Mcclung Aerial Spraying - Registered owner: Mcclung Aerial Spraying - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 2014 - Departed: PVT, Paxton, NE - Destination: PVT, Paxton, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2014; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 8,400 total, 7,600 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: KOGA, 19 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 20150916016189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150916016189A), Sep 16, 2015: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, Paxton, NE, Destroyed. On September 16, 2015 at approximately 13:26 local time (2026 UTC) a commercial pilot was involved in an aircraft accident while attempting to conduct aerial… ## Other investigations on N3628Z (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 ATL87DMG01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DMG01), May 18, 1987: Grumman G-164B (N3628Z), Beaufort, NC, destroyed ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 5, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92016. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 462 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.