Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, while establishing the second boundary along the eastern edge of a field where he was conducting an aerial application, the airplane struck power lines. Following the collision with the power lines, the airplane turned to the left and impacted the ground in a flat attitude, which resulted in structural damage to all four wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were four sets of power lines near the field; however, the upper right wing blocked his view of the power lines that the airplane struck. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA271 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 20, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Okanogan, Washington
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Grumman Acft Eng Cor-Schweizer G-164B
- N-number
- N6861K
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.