# NTSB ATL95LA150: Cessna 188T, N731MK, Town Creek, AL, August 8, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1995, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Town Creek, AL
- Coordinates: 34.669094, -87.400123 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6691&lon=-87.4001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA150

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK THE RUNWAY CONDITION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE SOFT RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT HAD BEEN OPERATING FROM A PAVED RUNWAY EARLIER IN THE MORNING, BUT LATER THAT MORNING HE MOVED THE SPRAYING OPERATION TO A WET, SOD AIRSTRIP. REALIZING THAT THE SOD WAS SOFT AND WET, THE PILOT REDUCED THE CHEMICAL LOAD TO ACCOMMODATE THE SOD CONDITION. DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF RUN, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT ON THE RUNWAY AND NEVER OBTAINED FLYING SPEED. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE CHEMICAL LOAD, AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 2150-FOOT RUNWAY INTO AN ADJACENT FIELD. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRPLANE WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1995, at 1030 central daylight time, a Cessna 188T, N731MK, collided with the ground during a takeoff attempt from a private sod airstrip near Town Creek, 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 commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from the sod airstrip.

According to the pilot, he landed at the sod airstrip, and loaded the aircraft with 135 gallons of chemicals instead of the routine 150 gallons. The chemical load was reduced because of recent rain at the airstrip which left the runway wet. During the takeoff roll, the airplane encountered a soft spot on the runway surface which slowed the ground roll. The airplane never reached flying speed, but continued off the departure end of the runway. As the airplane rolled into the cotton field, the pilot aborted the takeoff, and jettisoned the chemical load. No aircraft mechanical problems were reported by the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N731MK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731MK), registered now, S/N 18802999T (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 188T
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18802999T
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D-23B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Eugene  Mccormick
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1995, 191 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 27, 2,100 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 13 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 19950808023739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950808023739A), Aug 8, 1995: Cessna A188B, Towncreek, AL, Substantial damage. Slowed by soft spots in runway unable lift. Ran off end dumped load and aborted too late.

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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