# NTSB ATL95LA110: Cessna 188B, N5621G, Huntsville, AL, June 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1995, 10:55 local (15:55 UTC)
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.750675, -86.64965 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7507&lon=-86.6496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA110

## Probable cause

The downdraft weather condition, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain during his maneuver.

## 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
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5621G-1997-03-28), registration cancelled 1997-03-28, S/N 18801116T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188116T
- Airframe hours: 3650
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950615017809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950615017809A), Jun 15, 1995: Cessna A188B, Huntsville, AL, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft after clearing a ridge on pullup from swath run. Unable to arrest descent. Prior impact.

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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