# NTSB CEN11CA502: Cessna A188B, N731AU, Devils Lake, ND, July 22, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 21, 2011, 19:30 local (Jul 22, 2011, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Devils Lake, ND - Coordinates: 48.034721, -98.934448 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0347&lon=-98.9344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 6, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA502 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81216/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81216 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA502 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall during the aerial application. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/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: 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) - [Uncontrolled descent: 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) ## Analysis The pilot was performing an aerial application of a field when he executed a turn to line up for the next spray pass. During the turn, the airspeed slowed, and the airplane stalled. The airplane impacted the field and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot stated that he should have discontinued the turn rather than attempt to align the airplane for the next spray pass. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing an aerial application of a field when he executed a turn to line up for the next spray pass. During the turn, the airplane airspeed slowed, and the airplane stalled. The airplane impacted the field and sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot stated that he should have discontinued the turn rather than attempt to align the airplane for the next spray pass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731AU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N731AU-2018-03-06), registration cancelled 2018-03-06, S/N 18802751T, 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: 18802751T - Airframe hours: 3226 - Engines: Continental IO-520-09B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Wakefield Flight Service Inc, doing business as Wakefield Flight Service Inc - Registered owner: Individual - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2011 - Departed: PVT, Devils Lake, ND - Destination: Devils Lake, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 4, 2011; seat: center; flight hours: 2,600 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 25,700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: DVL ## 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 20110721014349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110721014349A), Jul 21, 2011: Cessna A188B, Devils Lake, ND, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that he was "behind the power curve" while manuevering the agricutural aircraft during application of chemical product. This resulted in a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81216. 332 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 332 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351702&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.