# NTSB GAA19CA277: Grumman G164, N7500K, Pearsall, TX, May 21, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 21, 2019, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Pearsall, TX - Coordinates: 28.845556, -98.878051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8456&lon=-98.8781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99474 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA277 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99474/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99474 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA277 ## 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: [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) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Schweizer G-164B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=8059055), [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: [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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) (defining event); 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, 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7500K-2021-04-27), registration cancelled 2021-04-27, S/N 784 B, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G164 (B) - 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: 784B - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 17273 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; 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 ## 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 20190521004979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190521004979A), May 21, 2019: Schweizer Aircraft Corp G-164B, Pearsall, TX, Destroyed. At approximately 0930 on may 21, 2019, N7500K departed mc kinley field, just south of Pearsall TX, to conduct aerial application operations in corn fields… ## Other investigations on N7500K (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 FTW87DRD07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRD07), Jun 26, 1987: Grumman G-164B (N7500K), Chenneyville, LA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99474. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 678 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473361&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473362&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 330 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473363&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. --- 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.