On June 1, 1982, a Grumman G-164A (registration N5253) operated by Malcom's Flying Service, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Red Cloud, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of the distance to the transmission line wires during a low-altitude agricultural operation, compounded by potential visual obstruction from the aircraft's wing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An agricultural plane crashed after striking the top wire of an electrical transmission line while attempting a swath run over a pond adjacent to a seeded field.
What happened
The aircraft collided with the upper conductor of an electrical transmission line, resulting in a crash. The pilot explained that he misjudged the distance to the wires as he descended toward a pond situated at the edge of the field where he was conducting seeding operations. He noted that the top wing of the aircraft may have obstructed his view of the overhead lines during the maneuver.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the collision and the pilot's account of the event. No mechanical failures or pre-impact anomalies were identified as contributing factors to the accident.
Probable cause
The pilot's misjudgment of the distance to the transmission line wires during a low-altitude agricultural operation, compounded by potential visual obstruction from the aircraft's wing.
What happened in the 1 Jun 1982 Grumman G-164A accident near Red Cloud, NE?
An agricultural plane crashed after striking the top wire of an electrical transmission line while attempting a swath run over a pond adjacent to a seeded field.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Jun 1982 involved a Grumman G-164A, registration N5253, operated by Malcom's Flying Service, Inc., at Red Cloud, NE.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's misjudgment of the distance to the transmission line wires during a low-altitude agricultural operation, compounded by potential visual obstruction from the aircraft's wing.
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