# NTSB ATL92LA173: Cessna A188B, N4845Q, Centre, AL, September 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1992, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Centre, AL
- Coordinates: 34.150768, -85.670753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1508&lon=-85.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE TURBULENCE AND WIND SHEAR PRESENT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT HAD BEEN SPRAYING COTTON FIELDS FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, AND WAS PERFORMING ANOTHER PASS. HE REPORTED 'ROLLING AND TURBULENT' WINDS NEAR THE TREE LINES. AS HE PULLED THE STICK AFT TO ARREST THE SINK RATE, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND. THE LANDING GEAR BOGGED DOWN IN THE COTTON AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE GROUND, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRFRAME. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE COLLISION, HE LOST ABOUT 20 KNOTS OF AIRSPEED DUE TO WIND SHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4845Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4845Q-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 18802581T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- 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: 18802581T
- Airframe hours: 4800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Hoppe, Donald L.
- Registered owner: Timmons, Charles C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 1, 1992, 4 hours before
- Departed: A04, CENTRE, AL
- Destination: A04

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: center; flight hours: 9,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days, 200 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots, gusting 9
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920902039199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920902039199A), Sep 2, 1992: Cessna A188B, Centre, AL, Substantial damage. Windshear on descent over cotton field. Unable recover. Impacted cotton plants.

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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