HATCH, NM, USA
N7696
Grumman-Schweizer G-164A
The aerial application pilot was making a swath run, which was made 'facing the sun,' when the airplane struck some wires. Subsequently, the airplane impacted a highway, slid approximately 30 feet, and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot's flagman reported that he had warned the pilot of the wires prior to the accident flight.
On April 28, 1997, at 0845 mountain daylight time, a Grumman Schweizer G-164A, N7696, registered to and operated by By Ag Air Service, Inc., as a Title 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight, was substantially damaged after impacting wires while maneuvering near Hatch, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The flight originated from Hatch Municipal Airport about 5 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses reported to the FAA inspector that during a swath run, which was made "facing the sun," the airplane struck some wires. Subsequently, the airplane impacted Highway 185, slid approximately 30 feet, and came to rest in a ditch. The pilot's flagman reported that he had warned the pilot of the wires prior to the accident flight. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the top wing and engine were separated from the fuselage, and the bottom wing was damaged.
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires. A factor was the sunglare.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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