Schweizer Aircraft CORP G 164B accident near Stockton, California, March 27, 2018
On March 27, 2018 at about 9:05 pm local time, a 1984 Schweizer Aircraft CORP G 164B, registered N3629E, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Stockton, California. 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 clearance with power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 27, 2018 · about 9:05 pm local time
- Place
- Stockton, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Schweizer Aircraft CORP G 164B B, built 1984 · all G 164Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3629E · no longer on the register · serial 744B
- 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 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.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of visual reference during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 703 hours in all; 156 in this make and model; 95 in the last 90 days; 41 in the last 30 days; 604 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 16, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 16,689.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 13, 2018; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,162 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Garrett TPE-331 (turboprop); 15,520 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NA Tracy CA at 8:30 pm
- Destination: NA Tracy CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from SCK, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on January 8, 2020. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Maps or Charts of Accident Area | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N3629E 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.