# NTSB ATL88DKG09: Cessna 188, N3525Q, Garfield, GA, July 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1988, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, GA
- Coordinates: 32.279075, -82.129272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2791&lon=-82.1293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88DKG09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88DKG09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(other cardiovascular), pilot in command

## Analysis

FOLLOWING MINOR ENGINE MAINTENANCE, THE PLT/MECHANIC MADE THE TEST FLIGHT. THE ENGINE COWLING WAS NOT INSTALLED PRIOR TO THE FLT. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WHEELS TOUCHED THE WATER OF A NEARBY POND FOLLOWED BY A SHARP PULL-UP INTO THE PLT'S CUSTOMARY 'LOOP' PRIOR TO LANDING. THE ACFT DID NOT COMPLETE THE LOOP AND IMPACTED THE GROUND AT A 75 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL RECORDED BY THE HARRIS MEDICAL LAB IN FORT WORTH, TX WAS 176 MG/DL.  ALTHOUGH THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SEVERE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE, ITS RELEVANCE TO THE ACCIDENT COULD NOT BE ESTABLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3525Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3525Q-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 188-0475, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188 0475
- Airframe hours: 5672
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: D&R Spraying Service, doing business as D&R Spraying Service
- Registered owner: D & R Spraying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 15, 1988, 53 hours before
- Departed: PVT, GARFIELD, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 6,700 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F

## 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 19880710025869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880710025869A), Jul 10, 1988: Cessna A188, Garfield, GA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Test flying aircraft without cowling, flew across a pond and touched water. Came out of a loop and impacted ground.

## Other investigations on N3525Q (3)

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 FTW73FPM11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW73FPM11), May 23, 1973: Cessna A188 (N3525Q), Tulsa, OK, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX70DUJ22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70DUJ22), Apr 2, 1970: Cessna A188 (N3525Q), Arlington, AZ, destroyed
- [NTSB LAX70D0177](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0177), Oct 19, 1969: Cessna A188 (N3525Q), Guadalupe, AZ, substantial damage

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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