# NTSB GAA19CA270: Grumman G164, N4865, Lane City, TX, May 15, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 15, 2019, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lane City, TX
- Coordinates: 29.182777, -95.993888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1828&lon=-95.9939&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 3, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA270
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99443/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99443
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA270

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.

## 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: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/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: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=3952801), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he misjudged the height of the power wires, and as a result, the airplane's right wing struck the lower wire. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and rolled several times before coming to a stop, and a fire ensued. The airplane was destroyed by postaccident fire. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that while conducting an aerial application flight he misjudged the height of the power line wires, and as a result the right wing struck the lower wire. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground and rolled several times before coming to a stop and a fire ensued. The airplane was consumed by a postaccident fire and was destroyed. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4865](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4865-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 1018, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G164 (A)
- 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: 1018
- Year built: 1972
- Airframe hours: 8742.7
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Currie Flying Service LLC
- Registered owner: Currie Flying Service LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 2019
- Departed: ARM, Wharton, TX
- Destination: ARM, Wharton, TX
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2019; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,900 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,850 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: KARM, 5 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 20190515004679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190515004679A), May 15, 2019: Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164A, Lane City, TX, Destroyed. The aircraft was conducting dispensing operations. Upon approach, the aircraft struck a power line and crashed into the field. The aircraft was subsequently…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99443. 1.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 877 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473359&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 274 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.

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