Grumman G-164B accident near Epps, Louisiana, September 14, 2005
On September 14, 2005 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Grumman G-164B, registered N6667Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Epps, Louisiana. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 14, 2005 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Epps, Louisiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164B · all G-164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N6667Q · no longer on the register · serial 189B
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 17,500-hour commercial pilot was performing an aerial application flight on a northerly heading. The pilot was aware of the power lines along his intended spray pattern and he intended to "turn left before a creek and wooded area;" however, he delayed altering his route of flight and collided with the powerline. The pilot reported on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) that he "flew too far down the field to go under the power line to be able to turn, pull up, and avoid trees. The turbine powered agricultural airplane clipped the power line and flew into the trees. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as few clouds at 4,100 feet, winds from 260 degrees at 8 knots, temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit, and altimeter 29.88 inches of Mercury.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 17,500 hours in all; 12,000 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,102 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2005; 400 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,750 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honeywell - Garrett TPE-331-2-201 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Epps LA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: Epps LA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,100 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from MLU, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N6667Q the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.