# NTSB CEN09CA429: Cessna A188B, N4990Q, Elwood, NE, July 12, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 11, 2009, 20:30 local (Jul 12, 2009, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Elwood, NE - Coordinates: 40.579681, -99.860595 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5797&lon=-99.8606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74253/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74253 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA429 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain a climb after takeoff due to wind shift or downdraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot attempted to takeoff from a private grass strip and struck standing corn at the departure end the runway causing the airplane to flip over and land inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received only minor injuries. The airplane was loaded with 120 gallons of fungicide and between 1/2 to 3/4 fuel and no mechanical abnormalities were noted prior to the accident. Weight and balance calculations indicated that the airplane was within maximum gross weight and center of gravity limits for the conditions at takeoff. The pilot stated that he had a slight headwind but after a normal liftoff from the runway, he felt like he encountered either a wind shift or downdraft. ## Factual narrative The pilot attempted to takeoff from a private grass strip and struck standing corn at the departure end the runway causing the airplane to flip over and land inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received only minor injuries. The airplane was loaded with 120 gallons of fungicide and between 1/2 to 3/4 fuel and no mechanical abnormalities were noted prior to the accident. Weight and balance calculations indicated that the airplane was within maximum gross weight and center of gravity limits for the conditions at takeoff. The pilot stated that he had a slight headwind but after a normal liftoff from the runway, he felt like he encountered either a wind shift or downdraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4990Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4990Q-2016-11-01), registration cancelled 2016-11-01, S/N 18802724T, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B - 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: 18802724T - Airframe hours: 5113 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Bornemeier Joel E, doing business as Bornemeier Aerial Spraying, Inc - Registered owner: Bornemeier Joel E - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2009, 20 hours before - Departed: Elwood, NE - Destination: 8NE4, Elwood, NE - Airport: 8NE4, Bornemeier Airstrip, runway 12, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 16, 2007; seat: single; flight hours: 6,280 total, 2,040 in this make and model, 6,265 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KPMV, 18 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 20090711010349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090711010349A), Jul 11, 2009: Cessna A188A, Elmwood, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff from a private grass strip and struck standing corn at the departure end of runway 13 causing the aircraft to flip over and land… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74253. 951 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 951 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.