# NTSB ATL99LA002: Cessna 188B, N4832R, Tellasse, AL, October 2, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1998, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC) - Place: Tellasse, AL - Coordinates: 31.71087, -87.409248 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7109&lon=-87.4092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 26, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44105 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44105/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility line while conducting a swath run. ## 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 - object - wire,static - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was approaching from the northeast for a swath spray, waiting to fly over power lines that intersected a cotton field at the arrival end. The pilot thought that he was clear to push over into the cotton field to start his spray run. However, he was not completely clear of the power lines and on the push over became entangled with the ridge wire that runs from one pole to another giving the poles stability. The wire tangled between the propeller blades and around the propeller shaft slowing the engine to a stop. While tethered by the cable the aircraft fell approximately 250 to 300 feet, striking a slope and turning almost 180 degrees from the direction of impact. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1998 about 0835 Central Daylight Time, a Cessna 188B agricultural airplane, N4832R, collided with a high tension line and subsequently the ground while spraying a field in Tellasse, Alabama. The airplane was operated by Morris Flying Services, Inc., under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 137, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from Shorter, Alabama, at 0750. According to the FAA Inspector, who interviewed the pilot, the pilot was approaching from the northeast for a swath spray, waiting to fly over power lines that intersected a cotton field at the arrival end. The pilot thought that he was clear to push over into the cotton field to start his spray run. However, he was not completely clear of the power lines and on the push over became entangled with the ridge wire that runs from one pole to another giving the poles stability. The wire tangled between the propeller blades and around the propeller shaft slowing the engine to a stop. While tethered by the cable the aircraft fell approximately 250 to 300 feet, striking a slope and turning almost 180 degrees from the direction of impact, substantially damaging the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4832R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4832R-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 18802351T, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18802351T - Engines: Continental IO-520-D 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: William Harry Mc Gowan, doing business as Morris Flying Services, Inc. - Registered owner: Morris Flying Services, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: PVT, SHORTER, AL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 620 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MGM, 20 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 19981002039869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981002039869A), Oct 2, 1998: Cessna A188B, Tallassee, AL, Substantial damage. (.19)On October 2, 1998, about 0835 easter daylight time, a Cessna A188B agricultural airplane, N4832R, colllided with a high tension line and subsequently the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.