# NTSB LAX96LA204: Grumman G-164, N48379, Colusa, CA, May 25, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1996, 05:27 local (12:27 UTC)
- Place: Colusa, CA
- Coordinates: 39.269363, -122.050796 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2694&lon=-122.0508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA204

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to remain clear of the power lines.  Factors relating to the accident were: Lack of visual cues at dawn, and the power lines.

## 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 - dawn (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot was spraying a field at dawn. Subsequently, the airplane collided with power lines and crashed.  There were no witnesses, and the operator reported no mechanical problems.

## Factual narrative

On May 25, 1996, about 0527 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164 Ag-Cat, N48379, operated by World Agra-Air, Inc., was destroyed after colliding with power lines near Colusa, California.  The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 137 at the time of the accident.  The pilot received fatal injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the early morning flight which originated at Maxwell, California.  There were no known witnesses to the accident.  The operator reported no mechanical problems.

A postaccident autopsy was performed by the Colusa County Medical Examiner.  During that procedure samples were obtained for analysis by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  On August 7, 1996, a telephone call was placed to CAMI for the results of the analysis.  All tests had been performed except the urine screen.  The tests for drugs, ethanol, and carbon monoxide were negative.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N48379](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48379-1997-02-24), registration cancelled 1997-02-24, S/N 1621 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Grumman G-164
- Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1621
- Airframe hours: 6479
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN-1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: World Agra-Air Inc.
- Registered owner: World Agra-Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1996, 279 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GUNNERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,800 total, 8,800 as pilot in command, 375 in the last 90 days, 280 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 38 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 19960525011499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960525011499A), May 25, 1996: Scwzer G164A, Colusa, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted ground and burned on dawn spray run. No witnesses.

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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