# NTSB ATL95LA108: Cessna 188, N53340, Garfield, GA, June 13, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1995, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Garfield, GA
- Coordinates: 32.649272, -82.090522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6493&lon=-82.0905&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 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA108

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING A CLIMBOUT FROM A SWATH RUN WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerial application
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A SERIES OF PRACTICE SWATH RUNS WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING CLIMBOUT. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE STALLED DURING THE CLIMB, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE DEPARTURE END OF THE SWATH RUN. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE DISCLOSED THAT THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE SUSTAINED TREE AND GROUND IMPACT DAMAGE ALONG THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WING ASSEMBLY.

## Factual narrative

On June 13, 1995, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 188, N53340, collided with the ground during a practice aerial application swath run near Garfield, Georgia. The aerial application flight was being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 137 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Garfield, at 1420 hours.

According to the operator, the pilot was conducting a series of practice swath runs dispensing water on a field when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that during the pull-up from the swath run, the airplane stalled and he lost control of the airplane. The pilot also stated that the airplane started an uncontrollable descent and collided with trees.

The examination of the aircraft disclosed that the airframe sustained tree and ground impact damage along the leading edge of the wing assembly. The aircraft examination failed to disclose a mechanical problem, nor did the pilot report a problem with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53340](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53340-1997-03-20), registration cancelled 1997-03-20, S/N 18801776T (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: 188-01776T
- Airframe hours: 4620
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: D & M Custom Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1995

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 430 total, 10 in this make and model, 370 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 50 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 19950613017439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950613017439A), Jun 13, 1995: Cessna A188B, Garfield, GA, Substantial damage. During practice spray run pulled up end of field stalled. Lost control. Struck a tree.

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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