# NTSB ATL85FLT08: Cessna A188B, N4905Q, Marks, MS, June 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 27, 1985, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Marks, MS
- Coordinates: 34.249996, -90.269699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2500&lon=-90.2697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FLT08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6660/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FLT08

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - aerial application
  - in-flight planning/decision - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - other person (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS ON AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLT, A RAIN STORM SUDDENLY BEGAN & FORCED HIM TO QUICKLY RETURN & LAND. HE REPORTED THAT THE RAIN WAS SO HEAVY THAT HE COULD ONLY SEE STRAIGHT DOWN. HE CONTACTED HIS GROUND CREW & ASKED THEM TO HELP (TALK) HIM DOWN ONTO A ROAD THAT WAS BEING USED AS A LANDING AREA. DURING THE LANDING, THE GROUND CREW SAW A PERSON ON A BICYCLE & TOLD THE PLT TO 'PICK UP.' THE PLT TRIED TO CLEAR OVER THE CYCLIST, BUT THE ACFT STILL HAD ABOUT 1/2 OF ITS LOAD & WAS TOO SLOW TO CLIMB. THE LEFT WING HIT THE CYCLIST ON THE HEAD & SERIOUSLY INJURED HIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4905Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4905Q-1995-09-12), registration cancelled 1995-09-12, S/N 18802640T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802640T
- Airframe hours: 966
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: William Diffee, doing business as Diffee Flying Service
- Registered owner: William Diffee, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1985, 107 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 4,062 in this make and model, 109 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 3 knots, gusting 5
- Lowest ceiling: 450 ft
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850627031539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850627031539A), Jun 27, 1985: Cessna A188B, Marks, MS, Minor damage. Spray pilot was landing on road near load area due to rainstorm. Struck bike rider with wing during rollout.

## Other investigations on N4905Q (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL91LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA127), Jul 10, 1991: Cessna A188B (N4905Q), St. Matthews, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SAFE CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES, WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID AN AUTOMOBILE IN THE AREA OF HIS SPRAYING OPERATION.
- [NTSB FTW77FPA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPA11), May 9, 1977: Cessna A188B (N4905Q), Seagoville, TX, destroyed

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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