# NTSB LAX82DVG26: Grumman G-164, N641U, Williams, CA, June 7, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1982, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Williams, CA
- Location: 39.1498° N, 122.1390° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Williams, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1498&lon=-122.1390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DVG26
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DVG26

## 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
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS APPLYING A GRANULAR HERBICIDE TO A RICE FIELD WITH LOW VOLTAGE WIRES ON THE WEST BORDER AND HIGH VOLTAGE LINES LOCATED DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE FIELD. DURING A PASS FROM WEST TO EAST, HE CROSSED OVER THE LOW VOLTAGE WIRES AND LOWERED THE NOSE TO FLY UNDER THE HIGH VOLTAGE LINES. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS PARTIALLY BLINDED BY SUNGLARE ON HIS GOGGLES AND HIS LINE OF SIGHT WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE TOP WING. THE PLANE STRUCK A HIGH VOLTAGE WIRE AND CRASHED IN THE RICE FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N641U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N641U-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 377, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164) (registry code 3952702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 377
- Airframe hours: 7271
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Thayer Avia.
- Registered owner: Thayer Avia.
- Departed: WILLIAMS, CA
- Destination: WILLIAMS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,775 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,725 as pilot in command, 390 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820607023989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820607023989A), Jun 7, 1982: Scwzer G164, Williams, CA, Substantial damage. Struck powerline while trying to fly under wires at end of a swath run.

## Other investigations on N641U (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 OAK79DVG35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DVG35), Apr 29, 1979: Grumman G-164 (N641U), Grimes, CA, substantial damage

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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