On March 20, 2002, a Schweizer G-164A (registration N9763) was involved in an aviation accident near Cascade, IA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his failure to maintain clearance with the wire. A factor associated with the accident was the wire that the airplane contacted. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During an aerial application flight to drop seed along a highway, the airplane contacted a wire and collided with terrain after passing under two sets of wires.
Accident Details
An aerial application flight conducting a seed drop along a highway section under construction ended when the airplane contacted a wire and collided with the terrain. The aircraft had taken off from the highway and was heading east to drop seed at the time of the accident.
Sequence of Events
Two sets of wires crossed perpendicularly over the highway. The first set was approximately 40 feet above ground, and the second set was approximately 30 feet above ground. The airplane flew under the first wire without incident. As it passed under the second wire, the leading edge of the top left wing made contact with the wire. Subsequently, the airplane descended and impacted the terrain on the highway median.
Outcome
The accident resulted in the aircraft contacting the ground in the median of the highway. No further details about injuries, damage, or aircraft specifics were provided in the source.