N8260K

Substantial
None

GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164BS/N: 639B

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
NTSB Number
CEN10CA402
Location
Independence, IA
Event ID
20100715X63552
Coordinates
42.453609, -91.947776
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to pay attention to the power lines and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the corn field during the aerial application flight.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER
Serial Number
639B
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1979
Model / ICAO
G-164BG64T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
1
FAA Model
G-164B

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
BANK OF UTAH TRUSTEE
Address
50 S 200 E STE 110
City
SALT LAKE CITY
State / Zip Code
UT 84111-1617
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot was making a clean-up pass at the south end of a field during an aerial application flight when the accident occurred. A 30-foot tall power line ran north and south through the middle of the field. The pilot stated he was paying attention to the trees along the south end of the field during the pass when he realized that he was approaching the wires. He was unable to climb over the wires so he decided to fly under them. In doing so, the airplane contacted the corn which was 7 feet high and the airplane was pulled down into the field. Substantial damage resulted to the lower wings and the main landing gear mounting truss.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA402