Grumman G-164A N913X

Summary

On 23 May 1990 at about 14:43 local time, a Grumman G-164A registered N913X, operated by Aero Crop Services, was involved in an accident near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 May 1990 at 14:43

Classification

Accident

Location

Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.2500, -76.0996

Aircraft

Grumman G-164A

Registration

N913X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Aero Crop Services

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hazleton → Hazleton

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC90DHA01

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBTACLES, AND HIS FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT AS IT FLEW UP THE RIVER, AND WATCHED IT AGAIN AS IT RETURNED DOWN THE RIVER. THE WITNESSES GENERALLY AGREED THAT THEY AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW OVER THE RIVER AND IT STRUCK THE POWER LINES THAT CROSSED THE RIVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO 'SWING SIDE TO SIDE', THEN IT ROLLED OVER AND ENTERED THE RIVER AT A STEEP ANGLE. SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY SAW A BLUE FLASH/FLASH OF ELECTRICITY WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE POWER LINES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED FOR AERIAL APPLICATION OF A GYPSY MOTH INSECTICIDE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.