# NTSB ATL92LA148: Cessna 188, N4495Q, Town Creek, AL, July 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1992, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Town Creek, AL
- Coordinates: 34.670875, -87.399879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6709&lon=-87.3999&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 July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8638
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8638/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA148

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND THE COLLISION WITH TREES DURING CLIMBOUT. FACTORS WERE THE SOFT AND WET TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF FROM A WET SOD STRIP WITH A FULL LOAD OF CHEMICALS. AFTER THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO ACCELERATE TO LIFTOFF SPEED, THE PILOT ELECTED TO DUMP THE CHEMICALS; THE AIRPLANE BROKE GROUND AND FLEW BRIEFLY. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE CLIMBOUT BUT NEVER GAINED ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TREES SURROUNDING THE SOD STRIP. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4495Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4495Q-1993-02-10), registration cancelled 1993-02-10, S/N 18800895 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18800895
- Airframe hours: 4295
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-26B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Harrell Aviation Services Inc.
- Registered owner: Harrell Aviation Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 1992, 25 hours before
- Departed: PVT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,300 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLS, 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 19920730028599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920730028599A), Jul 30, 1992: Cessna A188B, Town Creek, AL, Substantial damage. Tried to depart wet sod strip with full load. Unable lift dumped load lifted but failed to clear trees.

## Other investigations on N4495Q (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 NYC77FLD85](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77FLD85), Sep 25, 1977: Cessna A188B (N4495Q), Zellwood, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB MIA75FKT25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75FKT25), Nov 6, 1974: Cessna 188 (N4495Q), Naples, FL, 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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