Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an agricultural flight.
NTSB analysis
On his ninth spray pass, the pilot stated that he did not maintain adequate clearance above a wire near the edge of the field. He attempted an evasive climb after noticing the wire, but was unsuccessful, and the airplane contacted the wire. Following the wire strike, the pilot was able to recover the airplane and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN16CA277 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 21, 2016
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Topeka, Kansas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G 164A
- N-number
- N7997
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1971
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.