# NTSB LAX96LA214: Schweizer G-164B, N3626D, Corning, CA, May 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 30, 1996, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Corning, CA - Coordinates: 39.920192, -122.27964 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9202&lon=-122.2796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report January 17, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29456 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA214 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29456/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA214 ## Probable cause the pilot misjudged the airplane's clearance from wires he was flying beneath. A contributing factor was the presence of light turbulence. ## 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 - weather condition - turbulence,terrain induced (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The pilot was seeding a field and began over the east side working his way toward the west. During his last pass, he made a left descending turn to fly beneath wires. The pilot suspected that turbulence raised the airplane's right wing and it collided with a wire. The airplane crashed into the field and came to rest upside down. The wind was from the north, between 2 and 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 30, 1996, at 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Schweizer G-164B, N3626D, operated by AVAG, Inc., collided with a power line while performing a rice seeding operation during an aerial application flight. The airplane came to rest upside down in a field near Corning, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was seriously injured. The flight originated from a private airstrip about 1.5 miles west of the field about 1415. According to the pilot, he began the seeding operation over the east side of the field and worked his way toward the west. During his last pass, he made a left descending turn to fly beneath wires. In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated light turbulence raised the airplane's right wing and it contacted a wire. The local wind was from the north, between 2 and 5 knots. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3626D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3626D-1996-06-27), registration cancelled 1996-06-27, S/N 717B (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Schweizer G-164B - Registry model: [Schweizer G-164B](https://openairdocs.org/model/schweizer-g-164b) (registry code 8059055) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 717B - Airframe hours: 8903 - Engines: P&W PT6A-15G 680 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Avag, Inc. - Registered owner: Bitcom, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1996, 58 hours before - Departed: CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,500 total, 330 in this make and model, 345 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 2 knots, gusting 5 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19960530012079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960530012079A), May 30, 1996: Scwzer G164B, Corning, CA, Substantial damage. While trying to fly under wires for rice seeding. Gust raised wing and it hit a wire. Landed inverted in a field. ## Other investigations on N3626D (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 LAX94LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA294), Jul 22, 1994: Schweizer G-164B (N3626D), Ligurta, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THE SUITABILITY OF THE LANDING AREA PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT. THE DARK NIGHT AND THE BADGER HOLE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT. 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.