Casualties unknown

1996-05-30: Schweizer G-164B (N3626D) — Avag, Inc. — Corning, CA

Corning, CA, US

On May 30, 1996, a Schweizer G-164B (registration N3626D) operated by Avag, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Corning, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from overhead wires during a low-level turn, which resulted in a collision with a wire and subsequent loss of control. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A light aircraft crashed while performing agricultural seeding duties after the pilot attempted to fly beneath power lines, resulting in a collision with a wire and an inverted landing.

What happened

The pilot was conducting agricultural operations, specifically seeding a field, when the incident occurred. The flight path began over the eastern side of the target area, with the aircraft systematically working its way toward the western boundary. During the final pass of the operation, the pilot executed a left descending turn intended to allow the airplane to clear and fly beneath overhead wires.

During this maneuver, the pilot observed that turbulence appeared to lift the right wing of the aircraft. This upward movement caused the wingtip to collide with one of the wires. Following the impact, the airplane lost control and crashed into the field, coming to rest in an inverted position on its back.

The investigation

Investigation details regarding mechanical failure or pre-impact conditions were not provided in the source material. The focus remains on the operational sequence and the immediate environmental factors present during the accident.

Findings

The weather conditions at the time of the accident were relatively calm, with wind coming from the north at speeds between 2 and 5 knots. Despite the light winds, the pilot suspected that localized turbulence played a role in raising the right wing sufficiently to strike the wire. The collision with the overhead obstacle was the direct cause of the crash and the subsequent inversion of the aircraft.

The accident involved a light aircraft operating in an agricultural capacity. The phase of flight was low-level maneuvering typical of crop dusting or seeding operations. The location was a field where the pilot had been working from east to west.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from overhead wires during a low-level turn, which resulted in a collision with a wire and subsequent loss of control.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X05825. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.