# NTSB ATL91LA127: Cessna A188B, N4905Q, St. Matthews, SC, July 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1991, 17:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: St. Matthews, SC
- Coordinates: 33.660678, -80.77053 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6607&lon=-80.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SAFE CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES, WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVOID AN AUTOMOBILE IN THE AREA OF HIS SPRAYING OPERATION.

## 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 - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT WAS SPRAYING COTTON AND TIMING HIS PASSES TO AVOID AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC ON AN ADJACENT ROAD.  THE DRIVER OF AN APPROACHING AUTOMOBILE APPLIED BRAKES AS THE AIRPLANE WAS COMMITTED TO A PASS UNDER A DOUBLE SET OF POWER LINES. THE PILOT ABRUPTLY PULLED UP TO AVOID THE AUTOMOBILE, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE WIRES. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IT CRASHED INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4905Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4905Q-1995-09-12), registration cancelled 1995-09-12, S/N 18802640T (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: 18802640T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Mcneil, Kenneth W.
- Registered owner: Mcneil, Kenneth W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: NONE, CAMERON, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 15,000 total, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSC, 25 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 19910710027019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910710027019A), Jul 10, 1991: Cessna A188B, St Matthews, SC, Substantial damage. Was flying under powerlines adjacent to a road. Pulled up to miss a vehical and struck powerline.

## Other investigations on N4905Q (2)

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 ATL85FLT08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FLT08), Jun 27, 1985: Cessna A188B (N4905Q), Marks, MS, minor damage
- [NTSB FTW77FPA11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPA11), May 9, 1977: Cessna A188B (N4905Q), Seagoville, TX, destroyed

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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