# NTSB CHI08CA260: Cessna A188B, N53243, Camanche, IA, August 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 20, 2008, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Camanche, IA - Coordinates: 41.789093, -90.27008 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7891&lon=-90.2701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 68876 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68876/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA260 ## Probable cause The pilot took off on an unsuitable airstrip which resulted in the airplane becoming prematurely airborne with inadequate airspeed after it contacted a rise in the terrain. ## 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) - [Landing gear system: main landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 241 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023210/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A188B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2073005), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); 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) - [Takeoff: 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 stated that during the takeoff run the airplane became airborne when it contacted a "hump" in the grass airstrip. He stated he attempted to keep the airplane airborne, but it settled back onto the airstrip where it contacted a "washed-out" rut that crossed through the middle of the airstrip. This resulted in the right landing gear being sheared off the airplane and the left landing gear collapsing rearward. The internal airframe structure was damaged at the gear attach points. The pilot stated he was aware of the condition of the airstrip prior to the takeoff. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2008, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N53243, collided with a ditch during takeoff from a private airstrip in Camanche, Iowa. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage. The aerial application flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff run the airplane became airborne when it contacted a "hump" in the grass airstrip. He stated he attempted to keep the airplane airborne, but it settled back onto the airstrip where it contacted a "washed-out" rut that crossed through the middle of the airstrip. This resulted in the right landing gear being sheared off the airplane and the left landing gear collapsing rearward. The internal airframe structure was damaged at the gear attach points. The pilot stated he was aware of the condition of the airstrip prior to the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53243](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53243), registered now, S/N 18801706T, built 1974 (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: 18801706T - Engines: Continental R-IO-520 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Operator: Harksen Flying Service - Registered owner: Harksen, Reynold L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Camanche, IA - Destination: Camanche, IA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 20,832 total, 397 in this make and model, 20,702 as pilot in command, 175 in the last 90 days, 169 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: DVN ## 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 20080820847969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080820847969A), Aug 20, 2008: Cessna A188B, Substantial damage. (-23) After reloading the hopper and refueling the aircraft, the piot attempted takeoff from a private grass farm strip. The strip had a dip and/or rut… 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.