Grumman G-164A accident near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1990
On May 23, 1990 at about 2:43 pm local time, a Grumman G-164A, registered N913X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania. It was an aerial application (crop spraying) flight under agricultural flying rules (Part 137). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE FROM OBTACLES, AND HIS FAILURE TO SEE AND AVOID THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1990 · about 2:43 pm local time
- Place
- Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grumman G-164A · all G-164As on the register
- Registration
- N913X · no longer on the register · serial 433
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application (crop spraying) flight · agricultural flying rules (Part 137)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT AS IT FLEW UP THE RIVER, AND WATCHED IT AGAIN AS IT RETURNED DOWN THE RIVER. THE WITNESSES GENERALLY AGREED THAT THEY AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING LOW OVER THE RIVER AND IT STRUCK THE POWER LINES THAT CROSSED THE RIVER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO 'SWING SIDE TO SIDE', THEN IT ROLLED OVER AND ENTERED THE RIVER AT A STEEP ANGLE. SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY SAW A BLUE FLASH/FLASH OF ELECTRICITY WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE POWER LINES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING OPERATED FOR AERIAL APPLICATION OF A GYPSY MOTH INSECTICIDE.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,541 hours in all; 34 in this make and model; 150 in the last 90 days; 75 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 1990; 56 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,500 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R1340 AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Aero Crop Services
The flight
- Departed from: HZL Hazleton PA at 2:25 pm
- Destination: HZL Hazleton PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft; scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:52 pm from IPT
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.
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.