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Agricultural Aircraft Collides with Power Lines During Fertilizer Application (N7804)

Kaplan, LA, US

On June 5, 1987, a Grumman G-164 (registration N7804) was involved in an aviation accident near Kaplan, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines while engaged in cockpit duties during low-altitude agricultural operations. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-22Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft collided with six strands of a power line while dispensing fertilizer on a rice field, resulting in substantial damage to the plane and its subsequent crash to the ground.

What happened

The pilot was conducting agricultural operations, specifically dispensing fertilizer across a rice field. During this phase of flight, the aircraft struck six strands of a power line at an altitude of approximately 20 feet above ground level. Following the collision, the airplane descended and crashed to the ground, sustaining substantial damage.

The investigation

Investigators determined that the power line poles were situated outside the boundary of the field where the operation was taking place. Reports indicate that the pilot was occupied with cockpit duties at the time of the incident and did not visually acquire the power lines prior to impact.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines while engaged in cockpit duties during low-altitude agricultural operations.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Jun 1987 Grumman G-164 accident near Kaplan, LA?

An aircraft collided with six strands of a power line while dispensing fertilizer on a rice field, resulting in substantial damage to the plane and its subsequent crash to the ground.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Jun 1987 involved a Grumman G-164, registration N7804, at Kaplan, LA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the power lines while engaged in cockpit duties during low-altitude agricultural operations.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X31187. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.