# NTSB LAX91LA186: Grumman G-164A, N5250, Madera, CA, April 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1991, 06:45 local (13:45 UTC)
- Place: Madera, CA
- Coordinates: 36.909538, -120.190467 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9095&lon=-120.1905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA186

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE GUY WIRE.

## 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 - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A GUY WIRE, THEN IT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5250](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5250-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N 526, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-164a) (registry code 3952704) (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: 526
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Ray Pool Dusters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ray Pool Dusters, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1990, 60 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: center; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 18 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 19910428012879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910428012879A), Apr 28, 1991: Scwzer G164A, Madera, CA, Destroyed. Collided with grape vines during a dusting run. Crashed and burned. Pilot certificate revoked in 1990.

## Other investigations on N5250 (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 LAX79FVA02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FVA02), Oct 17, 1979: Grumman G-164A (N5250), Madera, CA, destroyed

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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