# NTSB CEN11CA438: Cessna A188, N731ST, Castroville, TX, June 24, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2011, 06:35 local (11:35 UTC) - Place: Castroville, TX - Coordinates: 29.338333, -98.850555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3383&lon=-98.8506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 4, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA San Antonio FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 80961 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA438 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/80961/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80961 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA438 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance during the agricultural spraying flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 410 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting agricutural spraying operations in the airplane when the accident occurred. He stated that it was his first pass when he noticed a center pivot irrigation system ahead. His efforts to avoid hitting the irrigation system were unsuccessful. After striking the irrigation system he noted that he had almost no aileron control. He was able to use full power, full left aileron, and full left rudder to regain partial control and return to the airport for an emergency landing. As the airplane touched down the left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest upright resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and flight controls. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies prior to impact with the irrigation system. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot was making his first spraying pass of the day when the agricultural airplane struck and damaged a center pivot irrigation system. The impact damaged the irrigation system, and the right main landing gear and tail wheel separated from the airplane. The airplane immediately started a descending bank to the right. The pilot reported that the right aileron was jammed in the full up position and control stick movements had no affect on the right aileron. He was able to use full power, full left aileron, and full left rudder to regain partial control and return to the airport for an emergency landing. As the airplane touched down the left main landing gear separated and the airplane came to rest upright with resulting substantial damage to the fuselage and flight controls. The pilot reported there were no mechanical anomalies prior to impact with the irrigation system. He also reported his forward vision was partially obscured by chemical spray on the windshield. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731ST-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 18803125T, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A188 (B) - 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: 18803125T - Airframe hours: 8670 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Charles A Torkelson, doing business as Torkelson Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Charles A Torkelson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2010, 110 hours before - Departed: CVB, Castroville, TX - Destination: CVB, Castroville, TX - Airport: CVB, Castroville Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2010; seat: single; flight hours: 18,800 total, 11,000 in this make and model, 16,600 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KCVB ## 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 20110624018529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110624018529A), Jun 24, 2011: Cessna A188B, Castroville, TX, Substantial damage. The agricultural pilot was making his first pass of the day when the airplane struck a center pivot irrigation system. The impact damaged the irrigation… ## Other investigations on N731ST (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW89DRG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRG07), May 20, 1989: Cessna A188B (N731ST), La Coste, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR FLIGHT AT DEPARTURE. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 12, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=80961. 498 KB in all. - Pilot's Initial Statement - Received July 4, 2011 (item 1, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40350800&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Initial%20Statement%20-%20Received%20July%204,%202011-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 462 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351802&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.