# NTSB ATL85LA127: Cessna A188B, N4884Q, Prentiss, MS, April 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1985, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Prentiss, MS
- Coordinates: 31.590114, -89.87078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5901&lon=-89.8708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA127

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THERE WAS NO WIND AS THE PLT TOOK OFF TO PROCEED TO AN AG SITE; HOWEVER, BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED, THE WIND HAD BEGUN TO BLOW. REPORTEDLY, HE LANDED DOWNWIND ON A RURAL ROAD IN WINDS THAT WERE FROM THE SOUTHWEST AT 10 GUSTING TO 15 KTS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND AS HE TOUCHED DOWN & LOST CONTROL. THE ACFT THEN WENT IN A DITCH & HIT A BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4884Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4884Q-2000-08-08), registration cancelled 2000-08-08, S/N 18802620T (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: 188026201
- Airframe hours: 5501
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Rankin County Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 14, 1985, 64 hours before
- Departed: BRANDON, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850403009849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850403009849A), Apr 3, 1985: Cessna A188B, Prentiss, MS, Substantial damage. During downwind landing on a road pilot lost directional control. Ran into a ditch bank.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.