# NTSB CEN20CA320: Cessna A188, N90834, Memphis, MO, July 31, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 31, 2020, 07:05 local (12:05 UTC) - Place: Memphis, MO - Coordinates: 40.396945, -92.181663 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3969&lon=-92.1817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101723 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101723/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101723 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA320 ## Probable cause The pilot did not remove the rudder gust lock during the preflight inspection, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); 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) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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) - [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had just started flying this airplane five days before the accident as a contract pilot. Over the past four days, the operator had the airplane on the "ready pad" with all of the tie-downs and gust locks already removed. On the day of the accident, the airplane was tied down with all of the gust locks still installed. Prior to takeoff, the pilot completed a preflight inspection but did not remove the rudder gust lock. During the takeoff roll, the pilot had to use the brakes to keep the airplane centered on the runway, which made for a much longer takeoff roll. The airplane dragged in the 10 ft high corn off the end of the runway and lost lift, so the pilot made a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll the airplane collided with a tree and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He stated that he should have completed a more thorough preflight inspection. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had just started flying this airplane five days before the accident as a contract pilot. Over the past four days, the operator had the airplane on the "ready pad" with all of the tie-downs and gust locks already removed. On the day of the accident, the airplane was tied down with all of the gust locks still installed. Prior to takeoff, the pilot completed a preflight inspection but did not remove the rudder gust lock. During the takeoff roll, the pilot had to use the brakes to keep the airplane centered on the runway, which made for a much longer takeoff roll. The airplane dragged in the 10 ft high corn off the end of the runway and lost lift, so the pilot made a forced landing in a field. During the landing roll the airplane collided with a tree and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He stated that he should have completed a more thorough preflight inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N90834](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90834-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 18803322T, built 1979 (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-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-d) (registry code 17236, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18803322T - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 1531.5 - Engines: Continential Motors IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Woods Flying Service Llc - Registered owner: Woods Flying Service Llc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2020 - Departed: Memphis, MO - Destination: Memphis, MO - Airport: runway 18, 3,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 11, 2018; seat: single; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,153 total, 153 in this make and model, 2,153 as pilot in command, 211 in the last 90 days, 159 in the last 30 days, 13 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KIRK, 24 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 20200731011859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200731011859A), Jul 31, 2020: Cessna A188B, Memphis, MO, Substantial damage. Received notification of an aircraft accident involving a Cessna A188B with a registration of N90834. During take-off roll, pilot detected a left drift and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101723. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11347534&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20-%20pilot_redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11348056&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20Photos-Rel.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.