N7500KGrumman G1642019-05-21 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Serious

Grumman G164S/N: 784B

Summary

On May 21, 2019, a Grumman G164 (N7500K) was involved in an accident near Pearsall, TX. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed.

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 low-altitude maneuvering.

The pilot reported that, while conducting an aerial application flight, he had taken his eyes "off of the line just before entering the field." The airplane's landing gear hit the top wire and was pulled down toward the field. He attempted to correct by pulling "hard on the stick and pushed the power forward." The airplane became airborne, but suddenly the "left wing was yanked violently back into the corn." Utilizing right rudder, he attempted to lift the wing from the field and was able to maintain flight. The airplane was again "yanked and for the last time," and impacted the ground.

This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA277. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N7500K.

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
NTSB Number
GAA19CA277
Location
Pearsall, TX
Event ID
20190522X55614
Coordinates
28.845556, -98.878051
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines during low-altitude maneuvering.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
GRUMMAN
Serial Number
784B
Engine Type
Turbo-shaft
Year Built
1986
Model / ICAO
G164G64T
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
FITCH MATT DBA
Address
5105 SPUR 581
Status
Deregistered
City
PEARSALL
State / Zip Code
TX 78061-6100
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while conducting an aerial application flight, he had taken his eyes "off of the line just before entering the field." The airplane's landing gear hit the top wire and was pulled down toward the field. He attempted to correct by pulling "hard on the stick and pushed the power forward." The airplane became airborne, but suddenly the "left wing was yanked violently back into the corn." Utilizing right rudder, he attempted to lift the wing from the field and was able to maintain flight. The airplane was again "yanked and for the last time," and impacted the ground.

The airplane was consumed by a postaccident fire and was destroyed.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA277