Grumman G-164A N6858Q

Summary

On 4 August 2005 at about 12:40 local time, a Grumman G-164A registered N6858Q was involved in an accident near Buchanan, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 August 2005 at 12:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Buchanan, North Dakota, United States

Coordinates

47.1047, -98.8425

Aircraft

Grumman G-164A

Registration

N6858Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 137: Agricultural

Purpose of flight

Aerial Application

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Courtenay → Courtenay

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI05LA211

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the power lines. Factors included the glare on the windshield and the power lines.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The agricultural spray airplane was destroyed by post impact fire after it hit a power line and impacted the terrain. The pilot reported that he had sprayed one cornfield and was starting to spray another 20-acre cornfield. He reported that he flew over the field and observed power lines. He reported that he had sprayed the same cornfield the year before and had flown under the power lines without incident. He made one pass flying east, and then another pass flying west. He reported that during the third pass flying to the east, the airplane struck the wires. He reported that his vision was obstructed by glare on the windshield. The airplane impacted the ground and caught on fire. The pilot was able to exit the airplane before it was consumed by fire. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane prior to the impact with the wires.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.