Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B accident near Buttonwillow, California, September 20, 1993
On September 20, 1993 at about 10:45 pm local time, a Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B, registered N8133K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buttonwillow, California. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO AVOID WIRES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 1993 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Buttonwillow, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Gulfstream-Schweizer G-164B
- Registration
- N8133K · registry record · serial 579B
- 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 AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HIGH TENSION WIRES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. THE OPERATOR NOTED IN THE REPORT THAT THE 'PILOT SHOULD HAVE AVOIDED WIRES.'
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; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 21,242 hours in all; 7,000 in this make and model; 800 in the last 90 days; 21,160 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,781 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 1993; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,452 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-1340 AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Vince Cropdusters, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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 N8133K 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.