# NTSB LAX91LA332: Grumman G-164B, N6681Q, Arizona City, AZ, July 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1991, 04:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Arizona City, AZ
- Location: 32.7450° N, 111.6677° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Arizona City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7450&lon=-111.6677&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA332
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA332

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL OUTLOOK TO AVOID THE COLLISION WITH THE POWER TRANSMISSION LINES. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS THAT PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

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

## Analysis

A GRUMMAN 164B COLLIDED WITH POWER TRANSMISSION WIRES DURING A NIGHT AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS SPRAYING A COTTON FIELD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT WAS USING SPOT LIGHTS INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE FOR THE PURPOSE OF NAVIGATING IN THE FIELD AND OBSTRUCTION DETECTION. A BLUE MOUNTAIN AVIATION NIGHT FLYING LIGHT KIT WAS INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE. THE ALTERATION/MODIFICATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND INSTALLATION OF THE LIGHTS IS AUTHORIZED BY AN APPROVED FAA SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6681Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6681Q-1992-01-15), registration cancelled 1992-01-15, S/N 1700 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-164B
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 3952802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1700
- Airframe hours: 919
- Engines: P&W R1340 AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Al-Don Dusting Svc., Inc.
- Registered owner: Arh Trust
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1991, 65 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 24,000 total, 680 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910728030339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910728030339A), Jul 28, 1991: Scwzer G164B, Arizona City, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerline,crashed and burned while spraying a cotton field at night.

## Other investigations on N6681Q (2)

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 MKC81DCJ25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC81DCJ25), Aug 5, 1981: Grumman G-164B (N6681Q), Ewing, NE, destroyed
- [NTSB FTW78FRA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FRA22), May 26, 1978: Grumman G-164A (N6681Q), Rosharon, TX, 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.

---
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.