N36289 – Schweizer, N36289 G-164B – 2012-08-15 NTSB Accident Report

On August 15, 2012, a Schweizer, N36289 G-164B (N36289) was involved in an accident near Kaplan, LA. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during the aerial application flight.

According to the operator's accident report, the pilot was conducting an aerial application flight on a field about 3-1/2 miles from the airstrip. He had previously dispersed 4 loads of fertilizer on the field. During the application of the fifth load, the airplane struck an 80 to 90 foot-tall power line. The airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

Photographs taken at the accident site revealed no markers on the power line. An FAA inspector found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal aircraft operation.

This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN12CA544. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N36289.