# NTSB LAX98LA240: Grumman G-164A, N7442, Tracy, CA, July 22, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 22, 1998, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.729888, -121.419853 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7299&lon=-121.4199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43194/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA240 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate clearance with the telephone wires. ## 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,static - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot was spraying a field when the upper left wing struck a telephone line, which was strung under a set of power lines. The aircraft tumbled to the ground and caught fire on impact, coming to rest about 300 feet from where the wires were hit. Two leading edge pieces from the upper left wing were torn from the aircraft and found approximately 60 feet from where the wires were hit. The pilot's son reported that his father knew the telephone line was strung on the west side of the field, but stated that his father just forgot that the telephone line and cable were strung below the power lines. No preimpact mechanical failures were found during an examination of the wreckage. ## Factual narrative On July 22, 1998, at 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164A, N7442, impacted a series of telephone wires near Tracy, California, while applying chemicals to a field. The aircraft was destroyed in the subsequent ground impact sequence and postcrash fire. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The aircraft was being operated as a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Oakland Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft at the accident site and reported that he established flight control continuity. He further reported that the pilot was executing his final run, dusting the last corner of the field. The aircraft proceeded straight and level, flying in a westerly direction, under the power lines. The upper left wing struck the telephone line which was strung under the power lines. A ground witness reported that he heard a "snap" and saw the airplane tumbling to the ground. The aircraft came to rest in an adjacent field facing east, approximately 300 feet from where the wires were hit. The aircraft was engulfed in flames and was subsequently destroyed. Two leading edge pieces from the upper left wing were torn from the aircraft and found approximately 60 feet from the wire contact point. In his written statement, the pilot's son, who is also the manager of the firm, reported that his father knew the telephone line was strung on the west side of the field, but stated that his father just forgot that the telephone line and cable were strung below the power lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7442](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7442-2007-06-25), registration cancelled 2007-06-25, S/N 948, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Grumman G-164A - Registry model: [Grumman Acft ENG Cor-Schweizer G-164A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-acft-eng-cor-schweizer-g-164a) (registry code 3952801) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 948 - Airframe hours: 10409 - Engines: Continental R975-46A 525 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Trinkle & Boys Agricult Flying - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 318 hours before - Departed: TCY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 6,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 20 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 19980722027119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980722027119A), Jul 22, 1998: Scwzer G164A, Tracy, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Aircraft was executing his final run, dusting the last corner of the field. Aircraft was flying in a westernly direction. Upon completion of the run, the… 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.