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July 17, 1998 · Grumman-Schweizer G-164A · N7951

Caldwell, ID

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Caldwell, ID
Aircraft
Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail Number
N7951
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA98LA140

The pilot reported that while approaching a field for a spray run, he misjudged the height of a power line in the vicinity of the field and struck the line. The line was cut by the strike. The aircraft, while substantially damaged by the strike, was able to return to its home airstrip and land without further incident. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. Dark night conditions existed in the accident area at the time.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's misjudgment of clearance with a power line, resulting in a collision with the line. Factors included a power line and dark night light conditions in the spray area.

Full Narrative

On July 16, 1998, approximately 2300 mountain daylight time, a Grumman-Schweizer G-164A agricultural airplane, N7951, operated by Carol's Flying Service of Wilder, Idaho, struck power lines while conducting nighttime agricultural aerial application operations approximately 5 nautical miles south of Caldwell, Idaho. The power lines were cut in the strike. The pilot was able to return to his airstrip near Wilder (from which the flight originated) and land without further incident; he was not injured in the occurrence. Following the occurrence, the airplane was found to have sustained substantial damage. No flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 137 agricultural aerial application flight. The pilot reported that while approaching a field for a spray run, he miscalculated wire height and struck the wire. He stated that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident. The pilot's second class FAA medical certificate, dated January 6, 1998, carried a restriction that the pilot must possess glasses that correct for near and intermediate vision. The pilot reported in an August 10, 1998 telephone query that he was wearing his glasses at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he had 55 hours of night time within the previous 30 days. Astronomical data computation indicated that at Caldwell, evening twilight on July 16 ended at 2245, and that there was no moon at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the weather as clear with unrestricted visibility.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman-Schweizer G-164A
Tail NumberN7951
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985 · Reciprocating · 450
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data