# NTSB LAX94LA254: Schweizer G-164B, N8392K, Live Oak, CA, June 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1994, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Live Oak, CA
- Coordinates: 39.22927, -121.780891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2293&lon=-121.7809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28774/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA254

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REMAIN CLEAR OF POWER LINES.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO USE OF DRUGS THAT WERE NOT APPROVED FOR USE WHILE FLYING.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING A CLEANUP MANEUVER AFTER HIS SEVENTH PASS OVER THE FIELD.  DURING THE PASS, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW UNDER A SET OF POWER LINES, THEN COLLIDED WITH A SECOND SET OF LINES.  THE POWER LINES WERE PERPENDICULAR TO THE FLIGHTPATH, AND THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA.  VISIBILITY WAS UNRESTRICTED.  A TOXICOLOGY TEST OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD SHOWED: 0.197 UG/ML OF FLUOXETINE, 0.087 UG/ML OF NORFLUOXETINE, AND 0.016 UG/ML OF METHAMPHETAMINE; AMPHETAMINE WAS ALSO DETECTED IN HIS BLOOD. A TEST OF HIS URINE SHOWED: 1.578 UG/ML OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND 0.229 UG/ML OF AMPHETAMINE; FLUOXETINE AND NORFLUOXETINE WERE ALSO DETECTED IN HIS URINE.

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 1994, at 0730 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N8392K, collided with some high tension power lines during a cleanup path maneuver near Live Oak, California. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time.  The aerial application flight originated from a local duster strip.

According to the operator, the pilot was flying east to west and flew under a set of wires and collided with the second set of wires.  The power lines are oriented on a north to south direction.  This was the pilot's seventh flight over the field. The operator stated the pilot was experienced and was familiar with the area.  The operator reported no mechanical problems.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8392K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8392K-1998-08-06), registration cancelled 1998-08-06, S/N 682B (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SCHWEIZER G-164B
- Registry model: [Gulfstream-Schweizer A/C GULFSTREAM AM G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-schweizer-a-c-gulfstream-am-g-164b) (registry code 3979904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 682B
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Onstott  Dusters
- Registered owner: Onstott Dusters
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 20, 1994

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 6,000 total, 300 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV

## 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 19940615016489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940615016489A), Jun 15, 1994: Scwzer G164B, Live Oak, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While flying under power line struck a second set of wires and crashed.

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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