# NTSB ATL94LA140: Cessna A188A, N5657J, Cochran, GA, July 16, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 16, 1994, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Cochran, GA - Coordinates: 32.379714, -83.350196 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3797&lon=-83.3502&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 25, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3418 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3418/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA140 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND CLEARANCE FROM TREES DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. FACTORS WERE THE TREES AT THE PERIMETER OF THE FIELD, AND THE GUSTING TAIL WIND CONDITIONS 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 object, maneuvering - aerial application - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis THE AG PILOT WAS ON HIS THIRD SPRAY PASS OF A SMALL FIELD. DURING THE CLIMBOUT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AT THE PERIMETER OF THE FIELD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A GUSTING TAIL WIND AT THE TIME, AND HE WAS CARRYING A 'SUBSTANTIAL' LOAD OF PESTICIDES. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT AIRSPEED WAS DIMINISHED DUE TO THE CONSECUTIVE PASSES OF THE SMALL FIELD. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRCRAFT. ## Factual narrative On July 16, 1994, at 1245 eastern daylight time, Cessna A188A, N5657J, collided with trees during an attempted pull up from a swath run near Cochran, Georgia. The aerial application flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was destroyed, and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed from a private airstrip in Cochran at 1220. According to the operator, the pilot was on climb out from the third swath run when the aircraft collided with the trees. The operator recalled that there was an increase in wind speed and there was a shift in wind direction when the pilot attempted the climb out from the field; the operator also said that the climb out was attempted with a tail wind. The pilot reported that a substantial load of pesticides was being carried at the time of the accident. He also reported that there was a gusting tail wind at the time of the accident, and that airspeed was diminished due to a loss of "momentum" from short passes on a small field. He reported no mechanical malfunction or failure with the aircraft following the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5657J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5657J-1996-05-16), registration cancelled 1996-05-16, S/N 18800607 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188A - Registry model: [Cessna A188A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188a) (registry code 2073008) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18800607 - Airframe hours: 3670 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Lane W. Wimberly - Registered owner: Wimberly, James P. Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 21, 1994, 182 hours before - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,185 total, 670 in this make and model, 1,135 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MCN, 27 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 19940716018559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940716018559A), Jul 16, 1994: Cessna A188A, Cochran, GA, Destroyed. Struck trees on pullup from swath run. Wind had shifted to a tailwind. ## Other investigations on N5657J (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 MIA78FKG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKG43), May 15, 1978: Cessna 188 (N5657J), Cochran, GA, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA74DKG17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DKG17), Aug 11, 1973: Cessna 188 (N5657J), Cochran, GA, 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.