LIBERAL, KS, USA
N8385
GRUMMAN G-164A
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS COMPLETING A FINAL PASS AFTER AERIAL APPLICATION WHEN THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED WIRES AT THE END OF A FIELD, ROLLED INVERTED AND COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. NO AIRPLANE OR ENGINE ANOMOLIES WERE DISCOVERED.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 16, 1993, at 1054 central daylight time, a Grumman AG CAT G-164A, N8385, owned and operated by Floyd Aviation of Liberal, Kansas, collided with powerlines, impacted terrain and was destroyed. The airplane was partially consumed by post- impact fire. The commercially rated pilot received fatal injuries. After completing several passes over a field 11 miles northeast of Liberal, Kansas, the airplane was observed by ground personnel impacting powerlines and coming to rest inverted. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. No flight plan was on file. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The flight originated at Liberal, Kansas, time unknown. PERSONAL INFORMATION The 46 year old pilot held a commercial pilot's certificate number 512503564 with privileges for single engine flight. He had approximately 1,700 total hours at the time of the accident. He held a second class medical certificate issued April 19, 1993, with no limitations. His most recent experience and biennial flight reviews are unknown. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a Grumman G-164A AG CAT, N8385, serial number 878. The airplane had accumulated 3,970 total hours at the time of the accident. The most recent annual inspection was completed March 24, 1993. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane came to rest inverted and was partially consumed by post-impact fire. Eight powerline poles were damaged, and one powerline was broken. The airplane landing gear displayed wire imprints and rubber residue was found on the wires. Both propeller blades were bent forward. There was no damage to the spinner. The bottom of the airplane had no dirt on it. Ground scars were a few feet long. The top of the fuselage was extensively damaged. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION A post mortem examination autopsy of the pilot revealed fatal injuries to the head and spine. No indication of post-impact smoke inhalation existed. Toxicology results were negative. Extensive post mortem thermal injuries existed. FIRE A post impact fire destroyed the fuselage and cockpit area. No indications of pre-impact fire was discovered.
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines. A factor related to the accident were the powerlines which were contacted during the aerial application operation.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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