# NTSB ATL89DKJ09: Cessna 188B, N9318G, Prattville, AL, August 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1989, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Prattville, AL
- Coordinates: 32.510753, -86.560317 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5108&lon=-86.5603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKJ09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ09

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - aerial application
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AG APPLICATION FLT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED.  A WITNESS RPRTD THERE WERE NO UNUSUAL ENG SOUNDS AND THE PLT'S FLT MANEUVERS APPEARED TO BE NORMAL.  NO PREIMPACT PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9318G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9318G-1991-11-21), registration cancelled 1991-11-21, S/N 18801452 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801452
- Airframe hours: 2608
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Farm Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1989, 56 hours before
- Airport: Ag Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,035 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890816030119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890816030119A), Aug 16, 1989: Cessna A188B, Prattville, AL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off on a maintenance test flight and flew into trees while circling at low altitude.

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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