# NTSB ATL90DLG01: Cessna 188B, N21897, Hartsville, SC, October 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Hartsville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.360855, -80.079055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3609&lon=-80.0791&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): 8091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DLG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DLG01

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.

## 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 - guy wire
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETION OF AERIAL APPLICATION TO A COTTON FIELD, THE PILOT MADE A LEFT CLIMBING TURN TO A SOUTHERLY COURSE. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN CLIMBED TO ABOUT 400 FEET. AT A POSITION ABEAM OF THE APPROACH END OF THE FIELD WHICH HAD BEEN SPRAYED, ABOUT 1/4 MILE WEST OF THE FIELD, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SUPPORT GUY WIRE FOR A TELEVISION BROADCAST ANTENNA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED MARKINGS ON THE PROPELLER & LEFT WING WHICH WERE INDICATIVE OF A COLLISION WITH A CABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21897](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21897-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N 18801107, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801107
- Airframe hours: 3369
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Wade D. Langston, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 1989, 234 hours before
- Departed: 58J, TIMMONSVILLE, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19891005038869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891005038869A), Oct 5, 1989: Cessna A188B, Hartsville, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck and severed tv tower support cable during pullup from a spray run. Aircraft impacted ground vertically.

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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