Accident Summary
On July 19, 2017, at approximately 0921 eastern daylight time, a Grumman G164 airplane, registration N691Y, was substantially damaged after striking a set of four power lines and impacting a field near Marydel, Delaware. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was owned and operated by Air Enterprises, Inc., conducting an aerial application flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site, and no flight plan was filed for the flight.
The flight originated from Johnson's Airport (DE09) in Magnolia, Delaware, around 0910. According to the operator, the pilot had completed two spray runs and returned to DE09 to reload. After departing for a third spray run, the airplane struck the power lines and impacted terrain following the first pass of the field being sprayed. In a post-accident interview with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated he did not recall anything about the accident.
Postaccident examination revealed that the airplane impacted a field adjacent to the intended spray field, with substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. No postimpact fire occurred.
Data retrieved from the onboard AgNav P151 GPS unit indicated that the airplane approached the field on a westerly heading, passed low over the field as the sprayer was turned on and then off, before initiating a climb near the power lines. The aircraft continued westward until data ceased at 0921, at which point the airplane was on the opposite side of the power lines.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on March 7, 2017. He reported a total flight time of 913 hours, with 63 hours in the same make and model as the accident aircraft.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported at Dover Air Force Base (DOV), approximately 10 miles southeast of the accident site, at 0858 included wind from 200° at 5 knots, visibility 10 miles, and clear skies. The temperature was 27° C, with a dew point also at 27° C.