# NTSB CEN26LA286: Cessna T188C, N9998J, Randolph, NE, August 1, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 1, 2026, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Randolph, NE - Coordinates: 42.2686, -97.3777 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2686&lon=-97.3777&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 203583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN26LA286 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203583/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203583 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA286 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a tree during a low-level aerial application flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T188C, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073012), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during an aerial application flight, the airplane was climbing out from a spray pass along a field when a gust of wind pushed the airplane into a tree, striking the left wing. The pilot was able to maintain control of the airplane and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9998J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9998J), registered now, S/N T18803927T (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T188C - Registry model: [Cessna T188C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t188c) (registry code 2073012) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18803927T - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 1686 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-T 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Becker Flying Service Inc - Registered owner: Becker Flying Service Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 2026, 211 hours before - Departed: 0B4, Hartington, NE - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2025; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 910 total, 546 in this make and model, 859 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KOFK, 17 nm away - METAR: KOFK 011856Z AUTO 36013KT 10SM CLR 28/16 A3008 RMK AO2 SLP175 T02830156 $,M ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 8, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203583. 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=20945281&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1%20CEN26LA286_print_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 357 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20944951&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20CEN26LA286-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.