Primary finding
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to remain clear of the power lines. Factors relating to the accident were: Lack of visual cues at dawn, and the power lines.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot was spraying a field at dawn. Subsequently, the airplane collided with power lines and crashed. There were no witnesses, and the operator reported no mechanical problems.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 25, 1996, about 0527 hours Pacific daylight time, a Grumman G-164 Ag-Cat, N48379, operated by World Agra-Air, Inc., was destroyed after colliding with power lines near Colusa, California. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 137 at the time of the accident. The pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the early morning flight which originated at Maxwell, California. There were no known witnesses to the accident. The operator reported no mechanical problems. A postaccident autopsy was performed by the Colusa County Medical Examiner. During that procedure samples were obtained for analysis by the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. On August 7, 1996, a telephone call was placed to CAMI for the results of the analysis. All tests had been performed except the urine screen. The tests for drugs, ethanol, and carbon monoxide were negative. -