GAA19CA277

NTSB accident investigation · Grumman G164 · Pearsall, TX · May 21, 2019

Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
May 21, 2019, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
Place
Pearsall, TX
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N7500KGrumman G164
Defining event
Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 13, 2020
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20190521004979A
Case key
99474

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

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

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: altitudeAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedSchweizer G-164B: 3 casesAll aircraft: 1,310 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: wireEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operationSchweizer G-164B: 5 casesAll aircraft: 588 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while conducting an agricultural application flight, he thought the airplane was above some power lines, but the landing gear got tangled in the top line, and the airplane was pulled downward. The pilot attempted to correct by pulling "hard on the stick and pushed the power forward," and the airplane became airborne, but the left wing was pulled downward again. The pilot attempted to lift the wing by using right rudder and was able to maintain flight. The airplane was again pulled downward until it impacted the ground. 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 had taken his eyes "off of the line just before entering the field." The airplane's landing gear hit the top wire and was pulled down toward the field. He attempted to correct by pulling "hard on the stick and pushed the power forward." The airplane became airborne, but suddenly the "left wing was yanked violently back into the corn." Utilizing right rudder, he attempted to lift the wing from the field and was able to maintain flight. The airplane was again "yanked and for the last time," and impacted the ground. 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
N7500K
Reported as
Grumman G164 (B)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
784B
Built
1986
Airframe hours
17,273
Engine
Pratt & Whitney PT6-28, 680 horsepower, turbo prop
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Aerial application · Part 137
Operator
Fitch, Matt DBA
Registered owner
Fitch, Matt DBA
Airworthiness certificate
Special, Restricted (Special)
Last inspection
Annual · March 8, 2019
Departed
T30 · Pearsall, TX
Destination
T30 · Pearsall, TX
Flight plan
Unknown
Equipment
None

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
34
Injuries
Serious
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
August 31, 2018
Seat
Single
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
1,600 total · 700 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
10° at 7 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
3,400 ft overcast
Temperature
75 °F, dew point 57 °F
Altimeter
29.72 inHg
Observed at
KPEZ, 20 nm away

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2019, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.1 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N7500K · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.