FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Aerial Application Flight Contacts Corn After Flying Under Power Lines

Independence, IA, United States

On July 13, 2010, a GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B operated by HOPPE AIRSPAY LLC was involved in an aviation accident near Independence, IA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to pay attention to the power lines and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the corn field during the aerial application flight. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During an aerial application clean-up pass, the pilot encountered power lines and attempted to fly under them, contacting 7-foot-high corn and sustaining substantial damage to lower wings and landing gear.

Accident Details

An agricultural pilot was conducting a clean-up pass at the south end of a field when the accident occurred. A 30-foot-tall power line ran north and south through the middle of the field. The pilot reported focusing on trees along the south end during the pass and realizing he was approaching the wires. Unable to climb over them, he decided to fly under the power lines.

Sequence of Events

As the aircraft passed beneath the wires, it contacted corn that was 7 feet high. The contact pulled the airplane down into the field. The resulting impact caused substantial damage to the lower wings and the main landing gear mounting truss.

Damage Assessment

The lower wings and main landing gear mounting truss sustained substantial damage. No other damage or injuries were reported.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same aircraft family

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Jul 2010 GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B accident near Independence, IA?

During an aerial application clean-up pass, the pilot encountered power lines and attempted to fly under them, contacting 7-foot-high corn and sustaining substantial damage to lower wings and landing gear.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Jul 2010 GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Jul 2010 involved a GRUMMAN ACFT ENG COR-SCHWEIZER G-164B, operated by HOPPE AIRSPAY LLC, at Independence, IA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to pay attention to the power lines and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the corn field during the aerial application flight.

More accident analyses