Summary
On August 23, 1994, a Grumman G-164A (N8971H) was involved in an accident near Clifton, IL. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft was destroyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilots failure to keep visual contact with and to avoid unmarked powerlines adjacent to the crop field he was spraying.
On August 22, 1994, at 1933 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, operated by Benoit Aerial Spraying of Kankakee, Illinois, as an agricultural aircraft, impacted powerlines 2 miles east of Clifton, Illinois, during aerial application and was destroyed. The commercially certificated pilot received minor injuries, egressed the airplane without assistance, the on board chemicals were spilled, and a post crash fire occurred.
Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137 and had originated from a private strip near Kankakee, Illinois. The pilot stated that he contacted the known but unmarked powerlines during an application turn.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CHI94LA292. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8971H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilots failure to keep visual contact with and to avoid unmarked powerlines adjacent to the crop field he was spraying.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 22, 1994, at 1933 central daylight time, a Grumman G- 164A, operated by Benoit Aerial Spraying of Kankakee, Illinois, as an agricultural aircraft, impacted powerlines 2 miles east of Clifton, Illinois, during aerial application and was destroyed. The commercially certificated pilot received minor injuries, egressed the airplane without assistance, the on board chemicals were spilled, and a post crash fire occurred.
Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137 and had originated from a private strip near Kankakee, Illinois. The pilot stated that he contacted the known but unmarked powerlines during an application turn. He did not indicate, nor were any pre-impact mechanical discrepancies noted during the investigation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI94LA292