# NTSB SEA92LA167: Grumman G-164A, N4859, Shelby, MT, July 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1992, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelby, MT
- Coordinates: 48.509819, -111.729629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5098&lon=-111.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA167

## Probable cause

THE POOR DECISION BY THE PILOT TO MAKE AN AERIAL APPLICATION TURN AROUND MANUEVER UNDER POWER LINES AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM 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
  - object - wire,transmission
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING AERIAL APPLICATION TURN AROUND MANEUVERS UNDER A POWER LINE WHEN THE ACFT IMPACTED THE BOTTOM STRAND, DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4859](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4859-1994-07-05), registration cancelled 1994-07-05, S/N 1104 (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: 1104
- Airframe hours: 3394
- Engines: P&W R-985 AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Schwartz, James K, doing business as High Plains Aviation
- Registered owner: Schwartz, James K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1992, 150 hours before
- Destination: SBX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,020 total, 900 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CTB, 20 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 19920727031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920727031099A), Jul 27, 1992: Scwzer G164A, Shelby, MT, Destroyed. Struck powerline on a spray turn around. Rolled inverted and crashed.

## Other investigations on N4859 (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 FTW74DPG78](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74DPG78), Jun 20, 1974: Grumman G-164A (N4859), Wheatley, AR, destroyed

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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