# NTSB MKC89LA089: Grumman G-164A, N7245, Osceola, AR, April 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1989, 06:40 local (11:40 UTC)
- Place: Osceola, AR
- Coordinates: 35.70082, -89.989753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7008&lon=-89.9898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34777
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34777/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA089

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRPLANE, WIRES, AND THE GROUND DURING THE AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE DIRTY WINDSHIELD, SUNGLARE, TRANSMISSION LINE (WIRES), AND SOFT TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, other
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT WHILE PERFORMING AN AERIAL APPLICATION OPERATION, HE ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER SOME POWER LINES. AS THE ACFT WAS GOING UNDER THE WIRES, THE MAIN GEAR CONTACTED FRESHLY PLOWED SOIL, THEN THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT SAID HE THOUGHT THAT HAVING A DIRTY WINDSHIELD WHILE FLYING DIRECTLY INTO THE RISING SUN & THE LOCATION OF THE POWER LINES CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7245](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7245), registered now, S/N 916 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 916
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Osceola Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Osceola Aerial Service, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: 7M4, OSCEOLA, AR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 240 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 30 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 19890413007909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890413007909A), Apr 13, 1989: Scwzer G164A, Osceola, AR, Substantial damage. Tried to fly under powerline for first spray run. Blinded by rising sun and dirty screen. Hit ground. Nosed over.

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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