# NTSB CEN26LA274: Cessna A188B, N731CQ, Algona, IA, July 29, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 29, 2026, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Algona, IA - Coordinates: 43.07028, -94.22972 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0703&lon=-94.2297&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 September 11, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 203490 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203490/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203490 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA274 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control during a turn, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; 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) - [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 · Not attained/maintained (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: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while performing agricultural spray applications, a vehicle parked on the road in the vicinity of the field he was spraying. He made a 360° turn waiting for the vehicle to move. During the turn, the airplane lost airspeed and entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot attempted to recover the airplane from the stall by pitching the nose of the airplane down and applying full power. However, during the recovery, the airplane entered a secondary aerodynamic stall. The airplane impacted power lines and trees and then impacted a residential yard. The fuselage, wings, and horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731CQ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731CQ), registered now, S/N 18802794T, built 1977 (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: 18802794T - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 6005 - Engines: Continental IO-520-D6 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Meyer Brothers Ag LLC - Registered owner: D & K Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 2026 - Departed: Priv, Whittemore, IA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 422 total, 172 in this make and model, 356 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 137 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KAXA, 2 nm away - METAR: KAXA 292135Z AUTO 12008KT 10SM CLR 31/22 A2997 ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 11, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203490. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20779549&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 377 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20778682&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=photos-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.