# NTSB ATL90LA170: Cessna 188B, N731NY, Elizabeth City, NC, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1990, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Elizabeth City, NC
- Coordinates: 36.290489, -76.21907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2905&lon=-76.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. EXISTING CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FOR AN AGRICULTURAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, AND AT ABOUT TWO FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE PILOT LOWERED THE NOSE TO PICK UP SPEED. THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTEDLY NEAR MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT KEPT THE POWER UP AND PULLED BACK ON THE STICK TO AVOID A DRY CANAL BED NEAR THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE CONTACTED THE DITCH, ENTERED A BEAN FIELD, AND GROUND LOOPED. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS OVERLOADED FOR THE EXISTING FIELD CONDITIONS. HE REPORTED CROSSWINDS AND GUSTS TO 15 KTS. THE PILOT REPORTED NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N731NY (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18803263
- Airframe hours: 1787
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-32 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: James Fletcher'S Air Svc, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 21, 1990, 62 hours before
- Departed: 1NC3
- Airport: 1NC3, Fletcher'S Airfield, runway 9, 2,300 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,034 total, 1,625 in this make and model, 3,823 as pilot in command, 207 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ECG, 4 nm away

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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