N36289Schweizer Aircraft G-164B · 1984

According to the operator's accident report, the pilot was conducting an aerial application flight on a field about 3-1/2 miles from the airstrip. He had previously dispersed 4 loads of fertilizer on the field. During the application of the fifth load, the airplane struck an 80 to 90 foot-tall power line. The airplane nosed over and impacted the ground. The pilot was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

Photographs taken at the accident site revealed no markers on the power line. An FAA inspector found no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal aircraft operation.

On March 28, 2008, approximately 1130 central daylight time, a single-engine Piper PA24-260 low-wing airplane, N9097P, and a Schweizer G-164B turbine powered agricultural bi-wing airplane, N36289, collided in-flight while the PA24 was on final approach to a private airstrip and the G-164B was on final approach to a second and perpendicular private airstrip. Both airstrips were located near Abbeville, Louisiana, and were approximately one mile apart. The PA24 was substantially damaged and the G-164B sustained minor damage. The private pilot of the PA24 and the commercial pilot of the G-164B were not injured. The PA24 was owned and operated by Cedar Aircraft Inc., of Cherokee, Iowa. The G-164B was owned and operated by Vincent Flying Service Inc., of Kaplan, Louisiana. The PA24 was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight and the G-164B was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 as an aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and flight plans were not filed for either local flight.

The pilot of the PA24 reported that while on short final for runway 27 he spotted the G-164B approaching on a collision course at "the last second." The PA24 pilot took evasive action; however, the application spreader from the G-164B impacted the vertical stabilizer and rudder of the PA24. Both pilots were able to land successfully at their respective airstrips.

According to the pilot of the G-164B, he had not observed the PA24 before the impact. After landing he discovered that the airplane's application spreader was missing.

Photographs provided to the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the PA24 vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained structural damage during the impact.