Casualties unknown

1998-12-03: Grumman G-164B (N6676Q) — Naponee, NE

Naponee, NE, US

On December 3, 1998, a Grumman G-164B (registration N6676Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Naponee, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to identify the wires prior to spraying the field and the low altitude at which the pilot was flying. A factor was the wires which the airplane contacted. 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 pilot on his first spray run in a canyon field collided with wires after descending slightly, causing the aircraft to roll and impact terrain.

Incident Details

A pilot was conducting agricultural spraying operations in a field located at the bottom of a canyon. During the flight, the pilot made a swath run to the south, then turned back to the north. While flying another swath run at a slightly lower altitude, the airplane collided with two of three wires that crossed the field. The wires were suspended from poles positioned on hills on both sides of the canyon.

Aircraft Response and Impact

Upon colliding with the wires, the airplane decelerated, rolled 360 degrees, and subsequently impacted the terrain in an upright position. The field being sprayed was situated at the bottom of the canyon, with the poles supporting the wires on the adjacent hills.

Pilot Experience

This was the first time the pilot had sprayed this particular field, and he was unaware of the presence of the wires. The encounter resulted in damage to the aircraft from the wire strike and the subsequent ground impact.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11524. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.