On June 4, 1991, a Grumman G-164B (registration N67210) operated by Star Dusters Flying Svc., Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Lawtell, LA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S EXCEEDING THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS TURBULENCE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While applying fertilizer to a rice field, the pilot reported the airplane settling after initiating a turn. He attributed it to mechanical turbulence and being behind the power curve. The aircraft struck power lines and impacted in a muddy field.
Incident Details
The pilot was performing an agricultural application of fertilizer to a rice field. During the second pass, as he pulled up and initiated a turn to reverse direction, the airplane began to settle. According to the pilot, he believed he encountered mechanical turbulence from a nearby tree line, which caused the airplane to get behind the power curve.
Pilot Actions
The pilot stated that he attempted to recover from the settling condition. However, despite his efforts, the airplane continued to settle. It then struck power lines and impacted in a muddy field.
Conclusion
The accident sequence involved the airplane striking power lines and coming to rest in a muddy field. The pilot's account indicates that the settling occurred during a turn after the second pass, with the pilot attributing the event to mechanical turbulence and being behind the power curve.