# NTSB ATL94LA132: Cessna A188B, N9583G, Tifton, GA, July 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1994, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Tifton, GA - Coordinates: 31.459693, -83.510101 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4597&lon=-83.5101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3411 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3411/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA132 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE AIRCRAFT CHECKLIST, RESULTING IN AN ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF WITH THE ELEVATOR TRIM IMPROPERLY SET. A FACTOR WAS THE TREES AT THE PERIMETER OF THE AIRSTRIP. ## 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) (contributing factor) - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AG PILOT WAS TAKING OFF WITH A LOAD OF WATER, TO PRACTICE AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVERS. THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE ABOUT 2/3 DOWN THE DIRT RUNWAY. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED TOWARD THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO DUMP THE LOAD OF WATER; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT CLEAR PERIMETER TREES. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TREES, CRASHED INTO AN OPEN FIELD, AND BURNED. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS REVEALED THAT THE ELEVATOR TRIM WAS IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECKLIST SPECIFIES THAT ELEVATOR TRIM BE SET FOR TAKEOFF (NEUTRAL). FULL NOSE DOWN TRIM EQUATES TO ABOUT 12 DEGREES ABOVE NEUTRAL. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1994, at 1140 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N9583G, collided with trees and terrain during takeoff from a private, dirt airstrip near Tifton, Georgia. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The commercial pilot had serious injuries. The aircraft was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, aerial application flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the following: He had loaded the hopper with water so that he could practice aerial application maneuvers. During the takeoff, the aircraft became airborne about 2/3 down the dirt runway. There was a gully located on the runway prior to the point of takeoff. The aircraft became airborne, then settled back down. He attempted to dump the load of water, however he did not gain sufficient altitude to clear perimeter trees. The aircraft contacted the trees, then crashed in an open field. The pilot did not report any loss of engine power. Two inspectors with the Federal Aviation Administration visited the accident site and inspected the wreckage. There was evidence that four trees had been damaged about 40 feet above ground level. The wreckage was found in a cleared area, on a heading of about 090 degrees magnetic. The aircraft was almost consumed by fire after ground impact, with the empennage and engine sections remaining essentially intact. The throttle, mixture, and propeller controls were in the full forward position. Both propeller blades exhibited a wavy, or "s" curved appearance. An examination of the flight controls revealed that the elevator trim was in the full nose down position. The limits for elevator trim tab travel are as follows: Full tab up: 12 degrees above neutral (+/- 1 deg.) Full tab down: 27 degrees below neutral (+/- 1 deg.) Takeoff trim setting: Neutral. In the "Normal Procedures" section of the aircraft checklist (Before Takeoff Checklist), the following step is included: "9. Elevator Trim -- SET for takeoff." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9583G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9583G-1997-03-10), registration cancelled 1997-03-10, S/N 18801545T (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: 18801545T - Airframe hours: 4318 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-23 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Lowder, Bruce D. - Registered owner: Rogers, Sammie - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1994, 148 hours before - Airport: NONE, None, runway 4, 3,000 × 20 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 20,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VLD, 36 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 19940708017939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940708017939A), Jul 8, 1994: Cessna A188B, Tifton, GA, Destroyed. Practice ag ops with water. Settled on climbout. Tried dump load. Hit trees. Elevator trim nose down. Needed neutral ## Other investigations on N9583G (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 ATL89DKG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKG02), Mar 30, 1989: Cessna A188B (N9583G), Statesboro, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. - [NTSB FTW79DRA41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DRA41), Aug 7, 1979: Cessna A188B (N9583G), Crockett, TX, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.