- Date
- June 15, 1995, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place
- Huntsville, AL
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N5621GCessna 188B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report February 14, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950615017809A
- Case key
- 3571
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 downdraft weather condition, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain during his maneuver.
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.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was applying agricultural chemicals. He said that during climbout at the completion or a swath run, he crossed over a ridge. After crossing the ridge line, he experienced a severe downdraft. He was unable to arrest the aircraft's descent and collided with the terrain. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.
Factual narrative
On June 15, 1995, at 1250 central daylight time, a Cessna 188B, N5621G, collided with the ground and burned during climbout from a swath run several miles northwest of Huntsville, Alabama. The aerial application flight 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 destroyed, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight's exact departure time from Huntsville, was not determined.
The pilot stated that he was applying agricultural chemicals. He said that during climbout at the completion or a swath run, he crossed over a ridge, after crossing the ridge line, he experienced a severe downdraft. He was unable to arrest the aircraft's descent and collided with the terrain. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.
The pilot/operator failed to complete the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5621G
- Reported as
- Cessna 188B
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 188116T
- Airframe hours
- 3,650
- Engine
- Continental IO-520, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Aerial application · Part 137
- Operator
- M & W Flying Service
- Registered owner
- Trost, Paul M
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 11, 1995 · 250 hours before
- Departed
- M82
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
- 36
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land, Single-engine sea
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 1,800 total · 300 in this make and model · 1,650 as pilot in command · 80 in the last 90 days · 70 in the last 30 days · 10 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 77 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HSV, 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.