- Date
- April 12, 1994, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place
- Latta, SC
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4856QCessna 188
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 12, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19940412000469A
- Case key
- 3370
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The NTSB’s determination of the probable cause, and any contributing factors.
The pilot's failure to obtain flying speed and the premature lift off which resulted in a stall.
Analysis
The initial accident report stated that during the takeoff roll the airplane settled back on the 1800 foot sod runway twice after the pilot rotated for liftoff. When the airplane became airborne, a wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled. The ag airplane, with 120 gallons of chemicals still onboard, came to rest in a field on the departure end of the runway. During a subsequent report the pilot stated that the engine lost power shortly after liftoff. However, the examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem with the airframe or engine.
Factual narrative
On April 12, 1994, at 1515 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188, N4856Q, collided with the ground during takeoff from a private airstrip near Latta, South Carolina. The aerial application flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Latta at 1514 hours.
The initial reports of the accident stated that during takeoff roll, when the pilot rotated for liftoff, the airplane settled back on the 1800 foot long sod runway twice. It was further reported that the airplane became airborne, a wing struck the ground and the airplane cartwheeled through a field off the departure end of the runway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspector, the aircraft was loaded with 120 gallons of chemicals and the chemicals remained onboard throughout the sequence of events.
A subsequent report from the pilot stated that the engine lost power shortly after liftoff from a private airstrip. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing, he lost control of the airplane and collided with the ground. The subsequent examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. During the functional check of the engine, the engine was started using the aircraft fuel boost pump and installed systems. An engine speed of 1800 rpm was attained with normal acceleration noted (see attached FAA Inspector's Statement).
The pilot/operator failed to complete an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 provided by the NTSB.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4856Q
- Reported as
- Cessna 188
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18802592T
- Airframe hours
- 4,724
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-D26, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Registered owner
- Taylor, Loretta J.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 30, 1993 · 150 hours before
- Flight plan
- VFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 35
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Center
- Flight hours
- 7,000 total · 2,500 in this make and model · 75 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- FLO, 30 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.