# NTSB ATL95LA111: Cessna 188D, N8035V, Athens, AL, June 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1995, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Athens, AL
- Coordinates: 34.77959, -86.94992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7796&lon=-86.9499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE LOOKOUT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE UTILITY LINE.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A SWATH RUN, AND WAS ON CLIMBOUT FROM A FIELD, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO FLY UNDER A SET OF POWERLINES. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE UTILITY LINES AND FELL TO THE GROUND. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 1995, at 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 188D, N8035V, collided with a high voltage power line while maneuvering twelve miles northwest of Huntsville, Alabama. 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 aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed a private airstrip near Athens, Alabama, at 1215 hours.

The pilot stated that he had completed a swath run, and was on a climbout from the field, when he attempted to fly under a set of power lines near the sprayed field. The airplane collided with the power lines and fell to the ground. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot.

The pilot did not complete and return NTSB Form 6120.1/2 as requested.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8035V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8035V-1997-03-24), registration cancelled 1997-03-24, S/N 1880285 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188D
- Registry model: [Cessna A188](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188) (registry code 2073004) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 188
- Airframe hours: 2380
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 280 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Charles  L. Stutesman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1995
- Departed: DCU

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 21,000 total

## 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, 592 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 19950615017799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950615017799A), Jun 15, 1995: Cessna A188, Athens, AL, Destroyed. Tried to fly under power lines at end of spray run. Collided with them and fell to ground.

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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