Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
NTSB analysis
The commercial pilot was performing an aerial application flight and was making a pass under two sets of high tension wires in proximity to the support tower. The airplane clipped the second set of wires, which resulted in the pilot's loss of control and the airplane's impact with the ground in a nose-down attitude. No anomalies with the airplane or engine were reported that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR18LA113 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 27, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Stockton, California
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Schweizer Aircraft Corp G 164B
- N-number
- N3629E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1984
- 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.