# NTSB ATL89DKJ07: Cessna A188B, N5618G, Town Creek, AL, July 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1989, 19:03 local (Jul 22, 1989, 00:03 UTC)
- Place: Town Creek, AL
- Coordinates: 34.6706, -87.400604 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6706&lon=-87.4006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKJ07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ07

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL AT AN ALTITUDE INADEQUATE TO EFFECT A SAFE RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - open field
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT FROM AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT TO REFUEL AND RELOAD CHEMICALS. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED HE FLEW OVER THE RUNWAY, WEST TO EAST, AT AN EXTREMELY LOW ALTITUDE. AT THE DOWNWIND RUNWAY THRESHOLD, THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED STEEPLY AND STALLED DURING THE TURN TO REVERSE COURSE FOR LANDING. IT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT BEFORE COMPLETING THE COURSE REVERSAL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 1/8 MILE FROM THE RUNWAY. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF PILOT IMPAIRMENT. NO FLIGHT CONTROL NOR ENGINE POWER DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE DURING THE SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5618G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5618G-1994-08-03), registration cancelled 1994-08-03, S/N 18801113 (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: 18801113
- Airframe hours: 3981
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James W. Brooks
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1989
- Departed: TOWN CREEK, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 15 nm away

## 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 19890721024649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890721024649A), Jul 21, 1989: Cessna A188B, Town Creek, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Made steep downwind pullup after low pass to land opposite direction. Stalled. Burned on impact.

## Other investigations on N5618G (1)

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 MIA76DKJ21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA76DKJ21), Sep 19, 1975: Cessna 188 (N5618G), Muscle Shoals, AL, 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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