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Casualties unknown

Aerial Application Aircraft Strikes Power Lines and Crashes (N4327)

Sleepy Creek, MD, US

On May 26, 1988, a Grumman G-164A (registration N4327) was involved in an aviation accident near Sleepy Creek, MD. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during aerial application 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 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane conducting aerial application operations collided with three power lines, resulting in a fire and a subsequent crash into a tree line near a highway and river.

What happened

During an aerial application flight, the aircraft struck and severed three power lines. The pilot reported that he failed to see the lines until it was too late to avoid them. Following the collision, the airplane caught fire but continued along its original flight path. It crossed a highway and a river before contacting a tree line that was approximately 25 to 30 feet tall. The aircraft came to rest in an open field. The pilot did not file an accident report.

The investigation

The investigation relied primarily on the pilot's statement regarding the failure to see the power lines. No mechanical examination details were provided in the source material.

Findings

Contributing factors included the power lines which were not seen by the pilot in time, and the subsequent fire that developed after the initial impact. The aircraft sustained severe damage leading to a crash landing.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during aerial application operations.
Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 May 1988 Grumman G-164A accident near Sleepy Creek, MD?

An airplane conducting aerial application operations collided with three power lines, resulting in a fire and a subsequent crash into a tree line near a highway and river.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 May 1988 involved a Grumman G-164A, registration N4327, at Sleepy Creek, MD.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to see and avoid power lines during aerial application operations.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X25624. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.