On June 19, 1991, a Grumman G-164B (registration N48370) operated by Stanley J. Wright was involved in an aviation accident near Brighton, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: (1) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM THE WIRES AND (2) THE WIRE'S SUBSEQUENT INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLIGHT CONTROLS. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane collided with electrical wires during a pull-up from a swath run, trailing wire that severed a second set of wires before the aircraft pitched up, rolled left, and impacted the ground. Wires were found entangled on the right wing and empennage control surfaces.
Accident Sequence
While pulling up from its second swath run, the airplane struck a set of electrical wires located at the end of the field. After the initial collision, the aircraft continued flying for approximately one-quarter mile, trailing about 15 feet of 3/8-inch wire. This trailing wire then struck and cut a second set of wires. Shortly after the second wire strike, the airplane was observed to pitch up, roll to the left, then pitch nose-down and collide with the ground.
Post-Accident Findings
Examination following the accident revealed that the trailing wires had become entangled on the right wing, including within the aileron gap, and on the empennage control surfaces.