# NTSB LAX89DVA06: Grumman G-164A, N8547H, Riverdale, CA, March 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1989, 12:51 local (20:51 UTC)
- Place: Riverdale, CA
- Coordinates: 36.479362, -119.940139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4794&lon=-119.9401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26153
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVA06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26153/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVA06

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT, WHEN HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION.  THE POWER LINE WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE PILOT HAD JUST COMPLETED A SWATH RUN OVER A FIELD, WHEN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES. HE SAID THAT AFTER MAKING THE SWATH RUN, HE LOOKED BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER TO OBSERVE THE FLAGGERS. WHEN HE LOOKED FORWARD AGAIN, THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT TO STRIKE THE WIRES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8547H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8547H-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 1401, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- 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 R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1401
- Airframe hours: 3871
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: D.R. Hughes D/B/A H. Ag Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1989, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 23,200 total, 7,000 in this make and model, 23,098 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890301002869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890301002869A), Mar 1, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Riverdale, CA, Destroyed. Pulled up too soon and hit wires at end of swath run. Stalled, spun to ground and burned.

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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